The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over the rising wave of attacks, abductions and killings targeting schools, teachers and pupils across the country, as it says, “Enough is Enough!”
The union issued the warning following the abduction of a school principal, seven teachers and over 30 pupils and students during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the killing of a teacher and the reported beheading of another educator in captivity by suspected bandits.
In a position paper signed by its National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, and Secretary General, Dr Clinton Ikpitibo, and made available to our correspondent on Thursday in Abuja, the NUT stated that teachers could no longer continue to work under an atmosphere of fear, bloodshed, and insecurity.
The union said, “For the umpteenth time, the NUT wishes to state unequivocally that teachers would have no other option than to down tools if these wanton attacks on schools continue unabated.”
The attacks, which occurred on May 15, reportedly targeted Local Authority Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele, Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota in Oyo State, where gunmen stormed the schools and whisked away dozens of victims.
The union said one of the teachers was shot dead while on duty and dressed in his union attire, describing the incident as painful and symbolic of the dangers educators now face daily in Nigeria.
“We note with pain in our hearts that the teacher was in his Union attire when he was shot dead, depicting his passion for the teaching profession and his commitment to the cause and advancement of education.”
The NUT added that reports of the beheading of one of the abducted teachers had further deepened grief and outrage within the education sector, warning that schools were fast becoming soft targets for terrorists and armed bandits.
The union also drew attention to another mass abduction on the same day in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where over 40 pupils and students were reportedly kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary Schools.
Describing the incidents as “wicked and inhuman attacks,” the NUT said the repeated targeting of schools had created fear and emotional trauma among teachers, learners, parents and communities, with many now afraid to return to classrooms.
“It is unimaginable that schools, which should serve as safe havens for teaching and learning, have become targets of violent attacks by armed bandits and terrorists,” the union lamented.
The teachers’ body warned that the continued attacks posed a grave threat to the future of education and national development, stressing that no meaningful learning could take place in an environment dominated by fear and violence.
“Teachers cannot effectively discharge their duties in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, where they are subjected to inhuman acts of kidnapping, maiming and killing.”
The union called on security agencies to intensify rescue efforts to secure the immediate release of all abducted victims, while urging the Federal Government and affected state governments to urgently strengthen security around schools to prevent further attacks.
“We therefore call on Governments at all levels to rise to the occasion and stop further attacks on schools, abduction and killing of teachers and learners, and ensure that all schools and communities are secured.
“Enough is enough. The time to act is now. Not until we all perish!”
