Scores of protesters including leaders of the Ogun State wing of Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT, Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Civil Society Groups and students movement have stormed Abeokuta, the State capital in solidarity with the nation-wide protest against the abduction of teachers and pupils at three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, since May 15, 2026
Protesters chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards of various bold inscriptions such as, *Bring Back Our Children*, *Nigeria Bleeds When Teachers Bleed* and*The Light of Learning Must Not Die in Darkness ", had assembled at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta on Tuesday , as early 8:00 am, before walking along the major streets including Kuto Market, IBB Boulevard in Ibara and ended up at the Ogun State Government Secretariat in Oke-mosan
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco-Ademola, National Vice President of NUT, Comrade Titilope Adebanjo, State NUT Chairman, Comrade Sewakanu Noah Oladipupo , NUT Secretary, Comrade Samson Oyelere, leaders of National Association of Nigerian Students, Civil Society Groups led by Comrade Yinka Folarin joined hundreds of protesters chanting save our souls songs
They are calling on government at all levels to put an end to the senseless activities of kidnappers, by tightening security, particularly around schools across the country to protect the lives of teachers and pupils and save education which from eminent collapse
On arriving at the State Secretariat in Oke-mosan, the State NUT Chairman Comrade Sewakanu who expressed the displeasure of the protesters over the absence of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly Right Honourable Oludaisi Elemide, however presented the position paper of the union to the State Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka who assured that the letter would be presented to the Governor for the immediate response
The State NUT in the position paper is demanding for unconditional and immediate release of the Abducted Teachers and Pupils in Captivity
"We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all our colleagues and pupils still held in captivity across Nigeria. Every day in captivity is a day of trauma. Government has the resources, the intelligence, and the duty to bring them home now" , the union stated
The State NUT is also demanding for visible security presence in all schools across Ogun State and Nigeria. Not just on paper.
"We mean armed Police, Civil Defense, Vigilante Groups, and CCTV where possible. Every school must have a security plan and emergency response number. A school without security is a cage waiting to be raided"
The union decried the slow implementation of "Safe School Initiative” and “Safe School Standards” launched by the Federal Government years ago.
"We demand urgent, full implementation in every school. This includes perimeter fencing, gates, emergency exits, lighting, and training of teachers on safety drills. Funding for this must be a national priority, not a line item",
The State NUT rejected a situation where classrooms are seen as targets and blackboards turned to battle field
"We reject, in totality, any future where classrooms become targets and blackboards become battlefields. Education must be protected as a right under Section 18 of our Constitution and under international law. Attacking a school is attacking Nigeria’s future.
To the Ogun State Government: We are not your enemies. Teachers are partners in building Ogun State. But partnership must be mutual. We teach your children, you must protect our lives"
"As we terminate this march here at the Governor’s Office, Ogun teachers expect the State Government to address this workforce and give clear words of assurance on timelines for school security,"the teachers maintained
The union in the position paper, equally called on the Federal Government to increase its budgetary allocation to education and security, saying the government must treat school attacks as acts of terrorism by prosecuting offenders swiftly and publicly.
"We will remain peaceful, but we will remain persistent. If our demands are not met, this is only the first step. Teachers molded Nigeria’s founding fathers. Teachers can also mobilize Nigeria’s future", the teachers vowed
The union then called on parents and the entire citizenry to stand with the teachers in the ongoing fight against kidnapping, saying "A teacher under threat cannot teach effectively. A child in fear cannot learn effectively. Our fight is your fight"
Responding, Chief Security Adviser to the Governor, AIG Olusola Subair (retired), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bolanle Murtala assured the protesters of adequate arrangements being made by government with all relevant security agencies to effectively secure the schools against all forms of attack
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