Teachers in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday joined their counterparts across Nigeria in a nationwide protest against the rising incidents of abduction of teachers and students, as well as the continued captivity of some teachers and pupils kidnapped in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The peaceful demonstration, organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo State Wing, commenced at the Teachers’ House along Siluko Road in the Ogida Barracks area of Benin City.
The protesters marched through major streets within the metropolis, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Schools Should Inspire Hope, Not Fear,” “Say No to Attacks on Schools,” and “Protect Teachers and Learners.”
They also sang solidarity songs while calling on government authorities to take urgent steps to secure the release of the abducted victims and strengthen security in schools across the country.
Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Edo State Wing, Comrade Lucky Imaruagheru, said the demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of both the Federal and State Governments to the plight of the kidnapped teachers and pupils in Oyo State.
According to him, the continued attacks on schools and educational personnel pose a serious threat to the nation’s educational system and the future of Nigerian children.
Comrade Imaruagheru expressed concern over reports surrounding the abduction, noting that he had watched a disturbing video allegedly showing one of the kidnapped teachers being killed by the abductors.
He described the situation as heartbreaking and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims unharmed.
“We are deeply saddened by the situation. We appeal to the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to do everything within their power to ensure that the abducted teachers and pupils in Orire, Oyo State, are rescued safely and reunited with their families,” he said.
The NUT chairman further urged government at all levels to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, an international commitment aimed at protecting schools, learners, and education personnel from attacks during periods of insecurity.
He also called for increased security presence around schools and improved measures to safeguard teachers and pupils across the country.
“We are calling on government to wake up to its responsibilities and protect the lives and property of citizens. We cannot continue to watch our teachers and pupils being sacrificed despite their critical role in building a better nation. This trend is unacceptable and must be stopped,” Imaruagheru stated.
The nationwide protest followed a directive issued by the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers on June 1, 2026, instructing all its state affiliates to stage solidarity demonstrations in support of the abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State and to demand stronger action against attacks on educational institutions.
The union maintained that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and development and called on all stakeholders to work together to end insecurity within the education sector.
