The Federal Capital Territory Chapter (FCT) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday staged a solidarity protest to condemn the killing of a teacher and demand the release of other staff and students abducted in Oyo State.
The national body of NUT had declared a nationwide protest following the bizarre incident.
Speaking during the protest in Abuja, the FCT Chairman of NUT, Abdullahi Shafa, said the protest was in compliance with a directive from the union’s national headquarters.
According to him, the protest is organised in all states of the federation to express the union’s displeasure over the killing of a teacher in Oyo, by suspected kidnappers.
Shafa described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable, noting that teachers should not be subjected to such violence while carrying out their duties.
“If you are aware, in the last few weeks, teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo have been troubled.
“A teacher there was beheaded instantly for no just cause. This is somebody that had gone to impact knowledge on our students.
“It is touching, horrifying, and devastating that a teacher who has put in his best to ensure that the children get qualitative education is being killed like that without any reason; all in the name of kidnapping and banditry. This is not good for the system,” he said.
The union leader said the development had generated fear among teachers and could negatively affect the teaching and learning environment if not urgently addressed.
He appealed to the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take proactive measures to protect teachers, students and school facilities nationwide.
Shafa also called for improved school infrastructure, including the construction of perimeter fences and other security measures to make schools safer.
“Our appeal to government is to provide adequate security for teachers and pupils and improve infrastructure within the school system to guarantee a safe learning environment,” he said.
He said that the protest was a one-day peaceful demonstration, adding that any further action would be determined by the union’s national leadership.
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has warned against politicising insecurity in the name of protest over kidnappings. Wike gave the warning in Abuja on Tuesday, while addressing members of the NUT, FCT Wing.
The teachers stormed the FCTA Secretariat, protesting the killing of a teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun by kidnappers in Oyo.
Oyedokun was abducted along with other teachers and students from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Addressing the protesters, the FCT minister said that the Federal Government was on its toes to rescue the school children and their teachers.
“We are all concerned about this security situation. Whether we like it or not, the government is on its toes to ensure that those who were kidnapped are rescued.
”I have the confidence that security agencies will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students are rescued alive and safe,” he said.
Wike while advising the protesting teachers against politicising the situation argued that school children and teachers were being kidnapped in different parts of the country, but nobody took to the street to protest, asking why the Oyo incident was different.
”Let me say this clearly, I don’t like politicising anything that happens. We have said here that teachers are being kidnapped in other states before, why was there no protest in Abuja?
”Does it mean that the teachers in Abuja are not important? We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues, that’s what I will not support.
”We are all concerned about the security situation, about how the teachers and students will be released,” he added.
