NUT Threatens Nationwide School Shutdown Over Rising Attacks, Abductions

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to shut down schools across the country if attacks on teachers, pupils and educational institutions continue, following recent cases of abductions and killings in parts of Nigeria.

The union said it could no longer tolerate the growing wave of insecurity around schools, warning that teachers may be directed to stay away from classrooms if government authorities fail to guarantee their safety.

Speaking in an interview, the National President of the NUT, Titus Amba, expressed deep concern over what he described as worsening insecurity within the nation’s education system despite the introduction of the Safe School Initiative.

According to him, incidents of banditry, kidnappings and killings involving teachers and students have continued to rise, particularly at the basic education level.

“As far as we are concerned, we are still where we are, and of recent, things are beginning to get worse, going by the trend of events in our educational institutions, most especially at the basic education level,” Amba said.

“This is because the issue of banditry affecting our schools and kidnapping of our students has been so obvious in recent times.”

The union leader lamented that the Safe School Initiative, introduced to improve security around schools nationwide, had failed to achieve its primary objective.

“The Safe School Initiative was good, but we are not yet there. It has not ensured the security of our schools because pockets of kidnappings, banditry and killings have been going on in Borno and recently in Kebbi and Oyo,” he stated.

Amba warned that another attack on any school could force the union to embark on a nationwide shutdown of basic education schools across the country.

“This is the last time that we will agitate alone. If this should happen again in any of our states, we will have no reason not to shut down the entire basic education system. If teachers are not safe where they work, then the system has failed because our schools are endangered,” he said.

The NUT president cited recent attacks in Oyo and Kebbi states where teachers and students were abducted, while some victims were reportedly killed by kidnappers.

In Oyo State, armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esin-Ele/Yawota axis, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers. One of the abducted teachers was later reportedly killed.

Amba also recalled incidents in Kebbi where teachers and students were kidnapped and a vice principal allegedly murdered in the presence of family members.

“Teachers are being killed and kidnapped. In Kebbi, teachers and students were carted away; the vice principal was killed in the presence of the family. In Oyo, teachers were kidnapped; one was killed, another was beheaded in broad daylight,” he alleged.

He stressed that teachers could no longer continue working under conditions where their lives were constantly at risk.

“If I am aware that if I go to my workplace my life is not guaranteed, I won’t go there. Life first. If there is no life, there will be no work for us to do,” he stated.

Amba disclosed that the union had already directed teachers in vulnerable parts of Oyo State to stay away from schools considered unsafe.

“As we speak, they are still in the hands of their captors. That is why we have given directives to Oyo State NUT that schools that are in danger of being attacked, all teachers in those areas should remain indoors. No teacher should go to school,” he said.

The NUT president called on communities, traditional leaders and all stakeholders to take collective responsibility for protecting schools and ensuring the safety of teachers and students.

“Community leaders, everyone, including communities, it is your responsibility to see how you will safeguard those schools. Every hand should be on deck,” he added.

He further reminded government at all levels that the protection of lives and property remains its primary constitutional responsibility.

“Nigerians must be safe, our schools must be well protected, our teachers, students and pupils must be protected. You wouldn’t want to send your ward to school and not have him return home,” Amba said.