Teachers, Principals Sound Alarm Over School Abductions, Demand Urgent Safety Actions
Education stakeholders in Nigeria are urgently calling for decisive government action to address the escalating crisis of school abductions and pervasive insecurity plaguing educational institutions. Approximately 603 students and teachers have been abducted in seven mass kidnappings across the country between March 2024 and May 2026, despite the N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative, highlighting a critical failure in safeguarding educational spaces.
During a panel session in Lagos, representatives from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) underscored that insecurity has become the paramount challenge facing the education sector, eclipsing concerns over salaries and working conditions. "We have a lot of challenges that teachers face. But the biggest challenge as we speak now is that of insecurity in our schools," stated Gbenga Ayetoba, Lagos State Secretary of the NUT.
The alarming trend extends beyond student misconduct, with incidents escalating to outright terrorism around schools, where teachers face threats of violence and death. Olushola Masheyi, Lagos State President of ANCOPSS, described the situation as dire, warning, "A nation where the future leaders are in the forests is doomed already. A nation where teachers are afraid to go to classes is doomed already."
Recent abductions, such as the one involving 46 pupils and teachers in Oyo State on May 15, and another in Borno State where 42 students were taken, underscore the severity of the crisis. Investigations into affected schools have revealed shocking security lapses, including inadequate fencing, lack of security personnel, and proximity to forest reserves, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
Education stakeholders are advocating for comprehensive reforms to the school security architecture and stronger measures to ensure the safety of both teachers and learners nationwide. The situation demands immediate intervention to protect vulnerable students and educators, ensuring that schools remain safe havens for learning and development.
During a panel session in Lagos, representatives from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) underscored that insecurity has become the paramount challenge facing the education sector, eclipsing concerns over salaries and working conditions. "We have a lot of challenges that teachers face. But the biggest challenge as we speak now is that of insecurity in our schools," stated Gbenga Ayetoba, Lagos State Secretary of the NUT.
The alarming trend extends beyond student misconduct, with incidents escalating to outright terrorism around schools, where teachers face threats of violence and death. Olushola Masheyi, Lagos State President of ANCOPSS, described the situation as dire, warning, "A nation where the future leaders are in the forests is doomed already. A nation where teachers are afraid to go to classes is doomed already."
Recent abductions, such as the one involving 46 pupils and teachers in Oyo State on May 15, and another in Borno State where 42 students were taken, underscore the severity of the crisis. Investigations into affected schools have revealed shocking security lapses, including inadequate fencing, lack of security personnel, and proximity to forest reserves, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
Education stakeholders are advocating for comprehensive reforms to the school security architecture and stronger measures to ensure the safety of both teachers and learners nationwide. The situation demands immediate intervention to protect vulnerable students and educators, ensuring that schools remain safe havens for learning and development.
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