The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned it may shut down schools across the country if further attacks occur, following a surge in kidnappings and killings involving teachers and pupils.
Recent incidents in Oyo, Borno, and Kebbi states have heightened concerns over safety in schools.
In Oyo, gunmen reportedly attacked three schools—Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School, and LA Primary School—abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers. Similarly, more than 50 pupils of Mussa Central Primary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno were recently kidnapped.
NUT President, Titus Amba, said the union could no longer tolerate the growing insecurity, stressing that teachers may be directed to stay away from classrooms if their safety is not guaranteed.
Speaking on the situation, Amba lamented that banditry, kidnappings, and killings have persisted despite the introduction of the Safe School Initiative, which was designed to protect educational institutions.
“As far as we are concerned, the situation is getting worse, especially at the basic education level where attacks and abductions have become frequent,” he said.
He noted that while the Safe School Initiative was a commendable step, it has not effectively secured schools, citing recent attacks in Borno, Kebbi, and Oyo as evidence.
Amba warned that any further attack could trigger a nationwide shutdown of basic education schools, insisting that teachers would not continue to work under life-threatening conditions.
“If this happens again in any state, we will have no option but to shut down the entire basic education system. If teachers are not safe, then the system has failed,” he said.
He also recounted incidents where teachers were killed or abducted, including reports from Kebbi and Oyo where victims were attacked in violent circumstances.
According to him, some abducted teachers and pupils remain in captivity, prompting the union to direct teachers in high-risk areas, particularly in Oyo State, to stay away from school for their safety.
Amba called on government, communities, and stakeholders to take urgent action to protect schools, emphasizing that safeguarding lives must be a collective responsibility.
“Teachers, students, and pupils must be protected. No parent should send a child to school and fear they won’t return,” he added, urging Nigerians to demand stronger security measures nationwide.
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