By Imelda Osayande
Members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo Chapter, on Tuesday staged a protest in Benin over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo and Borno states.
The teachers gathered in large numbers at Teachers’ House, Ogida Quarters, Benin, before embarking on a peaceful protest.
They demanded urgent government action to tackle growing insecurity in schools and ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.
Speaking on behalf of the teachers, Edo NUT Chairman, Mr Lucky Imaruagheru, criticised what he described as government complacency over the plight of the victims.
He noted that the abducted teachers and pupils had spent more than two weeks in captivity without decisive intervention.
The protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as, ‘Teachers’ Lives Matter’, ‘The Classroom Must Not Become a Battlefield’ and ‘Bring Back Our Teachers in Oyo’.
Imaruagheru condemned the abduction and killing of a teacher in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He described the incident as a tragic attack on the teaching profession and Nigeria’s education system.
He lamented what he called government inaction and said the union would no longer remain silent while teachers and pupils suffered at the hands of kidnappers.
“We saw the kidnapping and beheading of a teacher in Oyo State, and the government has kept mute on the plight of these children. We are not going to stay aloof.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be used as sacrificial lambs while we give our energy, our time and our resources to make Nigeria a better country.
“But our leaders are keeping mute. It is not acceptable to us. We teachers cannot accept that. They should rise up to their responsibilities,” he said. (NAN)
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