Date: June 2, 2026 By James Emmanuel
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — Hundreds of teachers and education workers on Tuesday staged a dramatic protest at the Ogun State Government House in Abeokuta, forcing their way into the premises as they demanded urgent government intervention to secure the release of teachers and students abducted in neighbouring Oyo State.
The protest formed part of a nationwide solidarity action organized by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) following the abduction of teachers and schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The demonstrators accused authorities of moving too slowly in efforts to rescue the victims, many of whom have remained in captivity for more than two weeks.
Carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “Release Our Teachers and Students Now,” “Schools Must Be Safe,” and “End Insecurity in Nigeria,” the protesters marched through major roads before converging on the Ogun State Government House. Witnesses said the crowd surged through security barriers to gain access to the government complex, where they demanded an audience with state officials and called for stronger action from both state and federal authorities.
The demonstration follows the May 15 attack on several schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly abducted dozens of students and teachers. The incident triggered widespread concern across Nigeria’s education sector and prompted the NUT to direct teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely until the victims are safely released.
Speaking during the protest, union representatives described the continued captivity of the victims as unacceptable and warned that the worsening security situation poses a serious threat to education across the country. They urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure that schools are protected from future attacks.
The NUT leadership has also directed its state chapters nationwide to organize solidarity rallies aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the abducted teachers and students. According to the union, educators can no longer operate effectively in an environment where schools and learning institutions have become targets for criminal elements.
Civil society groups, parents, and community members joined the protest, expressing concern over the growing wave of kidnappings and insecurity affecting schools. Many participants argued that the government must treat attacks on educational institutions as a national emergency and prioritize the safety of students and teachers.
As the demonstration concluded, protesters reiterated their demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted teachers and students. They warned that further actions could follow if authorities fail to secure the victims' freedom and address the broader security challenges confronting schools across Nigeria.