Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has commended the federal and state governments as well as security operatives for their collective efforts to ensure the successful rescue of the abducted learners and teachers in Oriire Local Government of Oyo State.
The NUT National President, Mr Titus Amba, gave the commendation at a news briefing on Monday in Abuja, while reacting to the release of victims after 56 days in captivity.
Describing the development as a great relief, Amba urged governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools across the country.
He stressed the need for the full implementation of the “Safe Schools Initiative”, deployment of adequate security personnel and surveillance systems to vulnerable schools, improved intelligence gathering and community-based security mechanisms.
Amba also called for the establishment of rapid emergency response systems for schools in high-risk areas.
According to him, the trauma experienced by the rescued teachers, learners and their families underscores the devastating effects of insecurity in the education sector.
The NUT president, however, lamented the killing of two teachers during the incident and extended condolences to their families, colleagues and the education community.
He noted that the sacrifice of the slain teachers highlighted the dangers confronting educators across the country.
Amba stated that attacks on schools had persisted since the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno, in 2014, followed by the kidnapping of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe, in 2018.
He said similar attacks had also occurred in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and other states, exposing the vulnerability of schools and the growing risks faced by teachers and learners.
the national president also expressed concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Borno, the kidnapping of a teacher and students as well as the killing of two teachers in another attack.
While condemning the attacks, he described them as barbaric and a gross violation of the fundamental rights of teachers and learners.
the incidents, he said, had disrupted learning, traumatised families and worsened the country’s education crisis.
Amba further stated that the continued targetting of schools threatened children’s constitutional right to quality education and undermined national development.
He therefore, called on governments at all levels, security agencies and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to rescue all persons still in captivity.
Amba equally called for increased funding for school security infrastructure, prosecution of perpetrators of attacks on schools and provision of psycho-social support and rehabilitation services for victims.
According to him, schools must remain safe places for learning, while teachers and learners should not live in fear.
He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to working with the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Education, security agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to promote safe, inclusive and resilient learning environment.
”Our children must not be denied their right to quality education. Protecting schools is protecting the future of Nigeria. The time for decisive and sustained action is now,” he said.
