Teachers protest abduction of colleagues and pupils in Ibadan
Teachers and civil society activists on Friday marched through Ibadan, Oyo State, demanding urgent action to secure the release of teachers and schoolchildren abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The demonstration, organised by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), followed the kidnapping of the victims on May 15 in the Esiele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso.
Addressing protesters, NTC National President, Reverend Bunmi Thomas, said the group joined the rally because, “When we heard about the proposed protest by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group, we were satisfied and decided to join them because what they are doing is lawful.”
He added, “They are demanding pragmatic action from the government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students.”
While acknowledging ongoing rescue efforts, Thomas insisted that authorities must do more, saying, “If the government is trying and the desired result has not been achieved, then more efforts must be intensified. We want the government to do more to rescue the teachers and pupils.”
Expressing concern over the victims’ welfare, he lamented, “We have children as young as two and three years old in the bush. They are exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions.”
The union leader also called for improved security in public schools, declaring, “We want the government to attach security personnel to all government schools. We cannot continue to work while living in danger.”
Thomas stressed that the protest was not targeted at Governor Seyi Makinde, stating, “No reasonable teacher in Oyo State is against Governor Seyi Makinde because he has performed excellently well.”
Responding on behalf of the government, Executive Assistant on Security Matters, retired CP Sunday Odukoya, assured demonstrators that efforts to rescue the victims were ongoing, saying, “It is your constitutional right to protest and let the government know your concerns.”
He further promised that no teacher would be intimidated for participating in the protest, while the protesters maintained that their appeal was solely for the safe and speedy return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
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