Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned against politicising the country’s security challenges, following a protest by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over the abduction and killing of education workers in Oyo State.
The minister gave the warning on Tuesday while addressing protesting teachers at the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat in Abuja.
The teachers had gathered to condemn the killing of teacher Michael Oyedokun and the abduction of pupils, students and teachers from schools in the Ahoro-Esinle area of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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Speaking to the demonstrators, Wike acknowledged public concern over the incident and assured them that the Federal Government and security agencies were making efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.
“We are all concerned about this security situation. Whether we like it or not, the government is on its toes to ensure that those who were kidnapped are rescued.
“I have the confidence that security agencies will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students are rescued alive and safe,” he said.
While expressing sympathy for the victims and their families, the FCT minister argued that similar incidents had occurred in other parts of the country without triggering comparable demonstrations in Abuja.
“Let me say this clearly, I don’t like politicising anything that happens. We have said here that teachers are being kidnapped in other states before; why was there no protest in Abuja?
“Does it mean that the teachers in Abuja are not important? We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues; that’s what I will not support.
“We are all concerned about the security situation, about how the teachers and students will be released,” he added.
Earlier, NUT FCT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, explained that the protest was part of a nationwide solidarity action directed by the union’s national leadership.
According to him, the demonstration was aimed at condemning the killing of a teacher, demanding the release of abducted pupils and educators, and drawing attention to the growing insecurity affecting schools across the country.
Shafa described the attack as unacceptable and stressed that teachers should not be subjected to violence while carrying out their professional responsibilities.
The protest comes amid mounting public concern over the fate of schoolchildren and teachers abducted during the May 16 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has sparked nationwide calls for stronger security measures and the immediate rescue of the victims.
