A mother and her three children staged a peaceful protest in Abuja on Monday over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, calling on authorities to urgently secure their release and restore confidence in the safety of schools across the country.
Protest in Maitama
The protest took place in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory, where the woman and her children stood by the roadside dressed in school uniforms and carrying placards with messages urging the government to act swiftly. The demonstrators said the growing wave of school kidnappings had left many parents living in fear and uncertainty.
Speaking during the protest, the woman said she was now afraid to send her children to school following recent incidents in Oyo and Borno states, where pupils were abducted by armed criminals. According to her, every parent deserves the assurance that their children can leave home for school and return safely without becoming victims of kidnapping.
Public concern over school safety
The protest comes amid increasing public concern over the safety of schools after gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State. The incidents sparked outrage across the country and drew reactions from civil society groups, labour unions, political leaders and international organisations. The United Nations has also called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing attacks on schools as a violation of children's rights and a threat to education.
The Abuja protester said she decided to take her concerns to the streets because the issue affects not only the families of the victims but every Nigerian parent. She urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the children and prevent further attacks on schools, warning that continued insecurity could discourage many parents from sending their children to school.
Growing frustration
The placards carried by the family reflected growing frustration over the recurring attacks on educational institutions and the trauma faced by affected families. The protest adds to mounting pressure on federal and state authorities to strengthen security around schools and ensure the safe return of all abducted pupils.
Recent school abductions have revived memories of previous mass kidnappings across northern Nigeria and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of measures put in place to protect students and teachers from attacks. As security agencies continue search-and-rescue efforts, many parents say they are anxiously waiting for concrete action that will not only bring the kidnapped children home but also guarantee that schools remain safe places for learning.
