The Nigeria Union of Teachers has warned that schools across the country may be shut down if another attack occurs in any educational institution, following increasing cases of kidnappings and killings involving teachers and students in different parts of Nigeria.
Recent attacks were reported in Oyo, Borno, and Kebbi states, where armed groups targeted schools, leading to abductions and deaths of both teachers and pupils.
In Oyo State, gunmen reportedly invaded three schools — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School, and LA Primary School — abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers. In Borno State, over 50 pupils of Mussa Central Primary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area were also recently kidnapped.
Speaking in an interview, the National President of the NUT, Titus Amba, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in schools, saying the union could no longer remain silent while teachers and students continued to face danger.
According to him, insecurity around educational institutions has worsened despite the introduction of the Safe School Initiative aimed at protecting schools nationwide.
Amba noted that incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and killings had become more frequent, especially at the basic education level, adding that the safety initiative had not fully achieved its purpose.
He explained that attacks in states such as Borno, Kebbi, and Oyo remained a major concern to stakeholders in the education sector, particularly teachers.
The NUT president warned that any fresh attack on a school could force the union to direct teachers nationwide to withdraw their services, leading to the closure of basic education schools across the country.
He stated that teachers could not continue working in environments where their lives were constantly at risk, stressing that safety must come before work.
Amba referenced recent incidents in Kebbi and Oyo where teachers and students were abducted, while some victims reportedly lost their lives. He said one vice principal was allegedly killed in the presence of family members, while another teacher in Oyo was reportedly murdered during the attacks.
He added that the union had repeatedly appealed to the government to improve security around schools but warned that if the situation persisted, teachers might be instructed to remain at home until adequate protection was guaranteed.
According to him, no worker would willingly resume duties in a place where survival was uncertain, insisting that the protection of lives must remain the government’s top priority.
The union leader also called on Nigerians and community leaders to support efforts aimed at safeguarding schools and protecting teachers, students, and pupils from criminal attacks.
He stressed that parents should be able to send their children to school without fear of abduction or death, while teachers should not have to risk their lives simply for carrying out their responsibilities.
Amba further disclosed that some kidnapped victims were still in captivity, adding that the Oyo State chapter of the NUT had already been directed to ensure that teachers in vulnerable areas stayed away from schools considered unsafe.
He urged communities to take collective responsibility for protecting educational institutions in their localities, stating that ending insecurity in schools required cooperation from government, residents, and all stakeholders.
