Teachers in Nigeria have issued a stark warning to political leaders, asserting that the escalating wave of kidnappings and violent attacks across the country demonstrates that “no one is safe.” This follows the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Oyo State.
Coordinated School Raids in Oyo State
The warning comes after a coordinated raid on May 15 in the Ahoro Esinele community, located in the Oriire Local Government Area. Armed men stormed a secondary school and two primary schools, taking pupils and staff hostage. The attack also affected Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and other nearby schools, leaving the community in shock.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State, approximately 46 people, mostly children aged between two and 16, were abducted during the assault.
National Concern and Government Response
The incident has sparked national concern. President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde have pledged intensified efforts to secure the victims’ release. Security agencies have arrested several suspects linked to the attack.
Teachers Call for Collective Action
Comrade Hassan Akintoye, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (Lagos State), emphasized that insecurity has spread across all regions and now affects everyone. He warned that political leaders are not exempt from danger, stating: “These bandits did not segregate… they have visited schools, they have visited mosques… so as teachers, we are going to address the issue holistically.”
He added that insecurity has become a nationwide threat that cuts across religion, profession, and social class. Teachers stressed the need for urgent and collective action, insisting that Nigeria’s security challenges require coordinated responsibility rather than blame-shifting among stakeholders.
About the Author
Ezra Ukanwa is a Reuters-certified journalist with over five years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Anchor University, Lagos, and serves as the Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He previously worked as a senior correspondent at Vanguard Newspapers.
