Bayelsa pupils join nationwide protests over abducted Oyo students, teachers

• Pupils and teachers in Bayelsa marched in solidarity with abducted students and teachers from Oyo State, calling on the Federal Government to secure their release.

• The protests are part of a nationwide action led by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) following recent school kidnappings in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

• The demonstrations sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern about rising insecurity and the safety of children in schools.

Schoolchildren and teachers in Bayelsa State have joined the nationwide protests demanding the rescue of students and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State, as concerns continue to grow over insecurity in schools across Nigeria.

The demonstrations, which were captured in videos circulating on social media, showed pupils and teachers marching through their communities while calling on the Federal Government to secure the release of those still being held by their abductors.

In Sagbama Local Government Area, pupils of Community Primary School, Isoni, were seen standing in rows outside their classrooms, dressed in their blue school uniforms and chanting for the safe return of the victims.

The children repeatedly shouted, “Federal Government, release our students! Federal Government, release our teachers!”

Speaking during the protest, the coordinator of the demonstration, Alex Egbagara, appealed directly to the Federal Government to act swiftly.

“We join the nationwide protest for the release of our kidnapped teachers and students in Oyo. Please, Federal Government, look into the matter and the cries of the Isoni community students,” he said.

READ ALSO: Oyo teachers strike: NUT shuts down public schools indefinitely over missing pupils, colleagues

A similar protest was also reported in Ekeremor Local Government Area, where students and staff of Government Secondary School, Aleibiri, staged a solidarity march in support of the abducted victims.

Videos from the protest showed students carrying handwritten placards while singing labour solidarity songs.

The students chanted, “Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our right!”

The protests come amid growing nationwide outrage over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had directed members across the country to embark on protests over the incident, leading to the closure of public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State on Monday.

Since then, demonstrations have spread to several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Kogi and Plateau, with teachers, labour activists and civil society groups demanding improved security in schools and the immediate rescue of the victims.

The Bayelsa demonstrations have also triggered reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the rising cases of school kidnappings and the impact on children.

Reacting on Facebook, Daukoru Monigha wrote, “May the good Lord deliver our children for us.”

Another user, Wisdom Minadoki, urged Nigerians not to relent, saying, “Let’s keep going till our voice is heard.”

Adire S. Kientimi argued that the protests should involve more schools across the country, writing, “This protest has to include all schools, both private and public, hence NUT has failed woefully. Because the children of government officials are in private schools.”

READ ALSO: Oyo abduction: Lagos, Kwara teachers say no school is safe as protests spread nationwide

On X, user #Clinton207O lamented the situation, posting, “Very sad to see that children are already singing solidarity songs from a young age… Lord save our land.”

The ongoing protests have once again highlighted growing concerns about the safety of students and teachers in Nigeria, with education stakeholders calling for stronger measures to protect schools from attacks and abductions.