The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has announced plans to stage a nationwide solidarity and peace protest on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, to demand the immediate and unconditional release of teachers, school administrators, and students abducted during recent attacks on educational institutions in Oyo and Borno states.
The planned demonstration comes amid growing anxiety within the education sector over the increasing frequency of kidnappings, attacks on schools, and the continued targeting of teachers and learners by armed groups operating in different parts of the country. The union said the protest is intended to draw national attention to the worsening security situation confronting schools and to pressure relevant authorities to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing the victims and preventing future attacks.
The decision was formally communicated in a notice circulated to members nationwide and signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Wing, Comrade Ibukun Adekeye. According to the notice, the action was approved by the national leadership of the union following widespread concerns expressed by teachers across the country over the prolonged captivity of their colleagues and students.
The notice directed teachers, education workers, and union members to converge at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education in the Central Business District of Abuja by 8:00 a.m. for the commencement of the peaceful protest. Similar solidarity activities are expected to take place in various states across the federation.
According to the union, the protest is not merely a demonstration but a collective expression of concern and solidarity with teachers and students who continue to face threats to their safety while pursuing education and academic activities.
“For days, many of our members have continued to ask when the Nigeria Union of Teachers would respond to the unfortunate abductions of teachers and learners in Oyo and Borno States. The answer is now,” the notice stated.
“In compliance with the directive of the National Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the Union has mobilised for a nationwide solidarity and peace protest to demand the immediate and safe release of our abducted colleagues and innocent learners who remain in captivity.”
The union urged all members to participate actively in the demonstration, emphasizing that the safety of teachers and learners is a matter that concerns every educator and every stakeholder in the Nigerian education system.
Teachers were encouraged to attend the protest individually and through their various branches, units, and associations. Participants were also requested to wear NUT-branded shirts, caps, and other identification materials to demonstrate unity and solidarity.
The union stressed that the protest represents a collective stand against attacks on educational institutions and serves as a reminder that the protection of schools must remain a national priority.
“An injury to one teacher is an injury to all. Silence at a time like this is costly. Our presence is not just a protest; it is a collective demand for the safety, dignity, and protection of every teacher and learner in Nigeria,” the statement added.
The NUT expressed concern that attacks on schools have continued despite repeated assurances from government authorities regarding efforts to strengthen security around educational facilities. The union warned that unless urgent action is taken, the trend could further discourage school attendance, increase fear among teachers and parents, and undermine educational development across the country.
According to education stakeholders, repeated attacks on schools have already contributed to school closures, disruptions in learning activities, and declining confidence among parents who fear for the safety of their children.
The protest follows recent incidents in Oyo and Borno states that have sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation.
In Oyo State, armed bandits attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting students, teachers, and school administrators. Among those reportedly still being held captive are pupils, teachers, and the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.
Reports indicate that no fewer than 25 victims from the affected schools remain in captivity several weeks after the incident, despite ongoing rescue efforts by security agencies.
The attack sent shockwaves across Oyo State and the wider education community, prompting calls for stronger security measures in schools and rural communities.
Similarly, schools in parts of Borno State have also come under attack by armed groups, resulting in the abduction of students and teachers and further heightening concerns over the vulnerability of educational institutions in conflict-prone areas.
The NUT noted that teachers across the country have become increasingly worried about the risks associated with their profession, especially those serving in rural and insecure communities where attacks frequently occur.
The union called on the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to take urgent and coordinated action to secure the release of all abducted victims and improve security infrastructure around schools.
“We cannot continue to lose teachers and learners to insecurity. Education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear. Our schools should be safe spaces for learning, growth, and development, not targets for criminal attacks,” the union said.
The NUT further urged authorities to strengthen the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative and ensure that schools, particularly those located in vulnerable communities, are adequately protected.
Education advocates have repeatedly warned that the continued targeting of schools poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s educational future. According to stakeholders, attacks on schools not only disrupt academic activities but also increase the number of out-of-school children, discourage teacher deployment to affected areas, and create long-term psychological trauma for victims and their families.
International organisations, including education and human rights groups, have also expressed concern over the persistent attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria. Many have called for increased investment in school security, community surveillance systems, and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent future incidents.
Parents and community leaders in affected areas have likewise appealed to government authorities to prioritise the rescue of abducted students and teachers while addressing the root causes of insecurity.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers concluded by urging members to remain peaceful, disciplined, and united throughout the protest while maintaining pressure on authorities to act decisively.
“Let us stand together. Let the government hear our voices. Let our abducted colleagues, students, and their families know that they are not forgotten. This is a struggle for the safety of education and the future of our nation,” Comrade Adekeye stated.
As preparations for the nationwide demonstration gather momentum, attention is expected to focus on the Federal Government’s response and the measures being taken to ensure the safe return of those still being held by their captors.
For teachers across Nigeria, the protest represents more than a demand for rescue operations. It is a call for a safer educational environment where teachers can perform their duties without fear and where students can pursue their dreams free from the threat of violence and abduction.
