Rising wave of school attacks declared a national emergency
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a stern warning, threatening to direct all teachers nationwide to withdraw from classrooms if the Federal Government fails to secure schools and halt the persistent, deadly attacks and abductions targeting educational institutions.
The union condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent surge in violence, describing the situation as a “national emergency” that directly threatens the collapse of the country’s entire education system.
Speaking on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union, NUT President Comrade Audu Amba expressed outrage over the most recent attacks. He cited the brutal killing of a Vice Principal and a security guard, as well as the abduction of 25 female students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State. Furthermore, he referenced the mass kidnapping of over 300 pupils and 12 staff members of St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, Papiri, Niger State.
“These barbaric attacks are unacceptable. We call on the Federal Government to bring these attacks to an end to prevent the total collapse of the education system,” Comrade Amba declared, stressing that the violence is not merely a series of isolated incidents, but “an assault on the entire foundation of education and sustainable development in Nigeria.”
Horrifying history of mass kidnappings in Nigeria
The NUT lamented the nation’s horrifying history of mass kidnappings targeting students and teachers over the past decade, demonstrating that the recent attacks are part of a dangerous, long-standing trend. The union pointed to several devastating incidents that have scarred the country’s collective memory:
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Chibok abduction: 276 girls kidnapped in Borno State (April 14, 2014).
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Dapchi abduction: 110 schoolgirls kidnapped in Yobe State (February 19, 2018), including Leah Sharibu, who remains in captivity.
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Kaduna Forestry College: 39 students kidnapped (March 11, 2021).
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GSS Jangebe: Approximately 200 students abducted in Zamfara State (February 26, 2021).
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Zamfara College of Agriculture: 128 students and 44 staff kidnapped (August 16, 2021).
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Bethel Baptist High School: 121 students kidnapped in Kaduna (July 5, 2021).
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Kuriga, Kaduna: 287 pupils abducted (March 7, 2024).
The union expressed deep concern that the surge in these attacks has already forced the closure of schools in affected states, a measure that is effectively jeopardizing the future of millions of Nigerian children. This disruption impacts not only current education but the country’s long-term human capital development.
Demands for action and the threat of industrial strike
The NUT heavily criticized the government’s perceived failure to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, an international intergovernmental political commitment that outlines concrete measures to protect educational institutions from violence and military use. The union demanded immediate and intensified efforts from the government on three fronts:
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Rescue Operations: Intensified efforts to safely and swiftly rescue all students and staff currently held captive.
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Security Strengthening: The immediate and substantial strengthening of security measures around all schools, especially those located in high-risk areas prone to banditry and insurgency.
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Prosecution: Tracking down and prosecuting the perpetrators of these crimes without delay to ensure justice and serve as a deterrent.
Comrade Amba underscored the fundamental importance of education, stating that it “is the backbone of national development,” with teachers being central to delivering quality learning and civic growth. He insisted that for Nigeria to attain its rightful place globally, the government must secure the right of every child to learn in a safe and conducive environment, which includes ensuring all learning facilities are well-structured and properly secured.
The most forceful statement from the NUT, however, was the final warning of potential industrial action. The union president declared that if the deadly attacks continue, the union would be left with “no option but to direct all teachers to stay away from classrooms until their safety is guaranteed.”
This potential nationwide strike would instantly paralyze the education system, highlighting the severity of the threat and the deep level of fear felt by educators across the country. The NUT also expressed profound sympathy with the families of the victims, noting that “Every moment that those children remain in captivity leaves a permanent scar on our collective conscience.”
