Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, NUT National President Comrade Audu Titus Amba condemned the recent spate of school abductions in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States, describing them as “unacceptable assaults on the nation’s children and teachers.” He stressed that schools must be safe spaces for learning, not hunting grounds for criminal gangs.
Amba urged government authorities to deploy adequate security personnel to vulnerable schools, particularly in rural areas, and to strengthen collaboration with local vigilante groups to protect students and teachers.
Rising Insecurity in Schools
Nigeria has witnessed a surge in mass abductions of schoolchildren over the past decade, with hundreds kidnapped from classrooms, dormitories, and school buses. The attacks have forced many schools to shut down, especially in northern states, disrupting education and leaving communities traumatized.
The NUT warned that unless urgent measures are taken, the crisis could worsen Nigeria’s already fragile education system, with parents increasingly reluctant to send their children to school.
Teachers’ Concerns
The union emphasized that teachers themselves have become targets, with many abducted alongside their students. Amba noted that the psychological toll on educators is immense, as they struggle to balance their duty to teach with fears for their own safety.
He called for insurance and hazard allowances for teachers working in high-risk areas, alongside counseling support for victims of abductions.
Broader Implications
Education experts argue that the attacks undermine Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) on quality education. They warn that insecurity could derail progress toward universal basic education, deepen illiteracy, and widen inequality.
International observers, including the United States Embassy in Abuja, have also condemned the recent abductions, urging Nigeria to intensify efforts to protect schools and uphold the right to education.
Government Response
While security agencies have launched rescue operations in affected states, critics say responses remain reactive rather than preventive. Civil society groups have urged the government to adopt a Safe Schools Policy, integrating community policing, technology-driven surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms.
The NUT insists that only a coordinated national strategy can end the cycle of violence and restore confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
