Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Abducted Pupils, Teachers as Leaders Demand Immediate Rescue
A growing wave of protests swept across Nigeria on Tuesday as teachers, students and civil society groups intensified pressure on authorities to secure the release of dozens of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno states.
From Abuja to Ibadan and several state capitals, demonstrators united behind a common demand: the immediate and safe return of the kidnapped victims before more lives are lost.
The National Assembly, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) all called for urgent action to rescue the captives, who have remained in the custody of bandits and terrorists since their abduction in May.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) strike entered its second day in Oyo State, while solidarity protests that began in Ibadan and Abeokuta expanded to Lagos, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kwara, Ondo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and other parts of the country.
Gunmen abducted 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers on May 15 from Ahoro-Esin-Ile and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. On the same day, several schoolchildren were also kidnapped in Borno State, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over school security.
Governor Makinde, who addressed protesting teachers, labour leaders and students in Ibadan, assured residents that security agencies were deploying all available resources to secure the release of the victims.
He urged Nigerians to avoid assigning blame and instead support collective efforts to resolve the crisis.
“This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame or play politics,” the governor said, expressing confidence that the abducted pupils and teachers would return safely.
At the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the abductions as a national tragedy and cautioned politicians and commentators against exploiting the situation for political advantage.
According to him, the attack represented an assault on Nigeria’s future and collective humanity, stressing the need for unity in confronting insecurity.
The Senate observed a minute of silence for those killed during the attacks, including teacher Michael Oyedokun and Adesiyan Adegboye, while also pledging support for measures aimed at improving security across the country.
Similarly, the House of Representatives called for the immediate rescue of the abducted victims and renewed its demand for the establishment of state police, arguing that delays in decentralising security were costing innocent lives.
Lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military forward operating base in Oriire Local Government Area to strengthen security around vulnerable communities.
As protests intensified nationwide, NUT leaders warned that industrial action could escalate if the victims were not rescued promptly.
In Lagos, teachers staged a massive solidarity march to the State House of Assembly and issued a one-week ultimatum to the government. Similar demonstrations were held in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kwara and Akwa Ibom states, where teachers temporarily withdrew classroom services in support of the nationwide campaign.
The Federal Government defended its response to the crisis, dismissing allegations of delayed intervention.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, stated that President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks within 24 hours and immediately directed security agencies to act.
He disclosed that special rescue teams, troops and military assets had since been deployed to the affected areas to facilitate the release of the captives.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also appealed for patience, assuring protesters in Abuja that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue those held captive.
While acknowledging public concerns, Wike warned against politicising insecurity, insisting that the government remained committed to protecting lives and restoring public confidence.
Meanwhile, CAN announced a three-day national mourning programme from June 12 to June 14, culminating in a “Black Sunday” observance to honour victims of insecurity across the country.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also expressed concern over the continued captivity of the abducted pupils and teachers, urging authorities to accelerate rescue efforts and prioritise the protection of citizens.
With public pressure mounting and protests spreading across the country, attention remains firmly focused on the fate of the abducted children and teachers as families continue to await their safe return.