- Threatens to declare sit-at-home for teachers if…
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for strengthening of security around schools, particularly those in vulnerable areas, to prevent abduction of learners and teachers.
The union also appealed for the safe return of abducted students and members of staff across the country.
It urged the government to close down schools if it doesn’t have the capacity to protect them.
The National President of NUT, Comr. Audu Titus Amba, made the appeal at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja in light of kidnappings of students in Kebbi and Niger states.
“Today students are being pulled from schools because of insecurity and this has affected learners. The government should find the means of protecting our schools, the system and our teachers.
“We call on both Federal and State governments to ensure that no effort Is spared in securing the safe rescue of the abducted students and members of staff, and to strengthen security measures around schools, particularly those in vulnerable areas, to prevent reoccurrence of such tragic incidents.
“We also urge security agencies to leave no stone unturned in strengthening security not only around all schools, but also in all the nooks and crannies of the country to ensure that all Nigerians and residents are protected from the inhuman and barbaric activities of terrorists and bandits in the country.”
The NUT president said the union will not hesitate to pull teachers out of schools to protest the level of insecurity in the country, particularly on learning facilities.
Amba said the organs of the NUT will meet to take a position on attacks on schools and facilities.
According to him, the NUT will not subject teachers to brutal killings.
He said: “The NUT stands with the families of the abducted children, our colleague, the Vice Principal who was gruesomely murdered, and other victims of these dastardly attacks. We share in their grief, anguish and unimaginable pains, and we demand the immediate release of the innocent children. Every moment they remain in captivity is a scar on our collective conscience.
“We also stand in solidarity with the government and people of the affected states during this trying time, even as we call on all relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of this brutal and conscienceless crime are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
“The recent attacks on our schools is a tragic reminder that teachers and the learners under their care have become an endangered species increasingly subjected to horrific and traumatic attacks and kidnappings which sometimes lead to their untimely death.
“We wish to state unequivocally that if this ugly trend of inhuman and deadly attacks on schools, teachers and learners persist, the NUT will be left with no other option than to call out all teachers to down tools and sit at home until their security and safety at all schools are guaranteed.”