The NUT Condemns Escalating Attacks on Schools: A Call for Urgent Action to Protect Nigeria’s Educational Future

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent wave of attacks on schools, teachers, and students across Nigeria, labeling the incidents as barbaric, inhuman, and a direct assault on the nation’s future. In a statement jointly signed by the National President, Audu Amba, and the Secretary General, Clinton Ikpitibo, the union highlighted that schools—once considered sanctuaries for learning and development—have tragically become prime targets for armed bandits and terrorists.

This development has not only disrupted academic activities but has also instilled widespread fear, panic, and deep emotional trauma among teachers, students, parents, and entire communities. The NUT’s statement comes in the wake of a series of coordinated attacks on May 15, 2026, targeting Local Authority Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele; Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota—all located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Abduct Students, Principal In Oyo School

Details of the Attacks: A Grim Toll on Educators and Learners

According to the NUT, the attacks resulted in the abduction of a school principal, seven teachers, and more than 30 pupils and students. Tragically, one teacher was shot dead during the incident. The union expressed particular anguish that the slain teacher was wearing his union attire at the time of his death, underscoring his unwavering commitment to the teaching profession and the advancement of education in Nigeria.

Further deepening the horror, the NUT reported that one of the abducted teachers was later beheaded by the attackers—a act that the union described as a brutal escalation of violence against educators. On the same day, more than 40 pupils and students were reportedly abducted by armed bandits from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, highlighting the geographic spread and coordinated nature of these assaults.

Broader Context: The Growing Crisis of School Insecurity in Nigeria

These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing trend. Since the Chibok schoolgirls abduction in 2014, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in school-related kidnappings and violence, particularly in the northern and southwestern regions. Armed groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit gangs, have increasingly targeted schools for ransom, recruitment, or to instill terror. According to UNICEF, over 1,000 children were abducted from schools in Nigeria between 2020 and 2023 alone, with many still missing.

The psychological impact on students and teachers is profound. Children who experience such trauma often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and a reluctance to return to school. Teachers, already underpaid and overworked, now face the added burden of risking their lives daily. This crisis threatens to reverse decades of progress in education, particularly for girls, who are often disproportionately affected by school attacks.

NUT’s Demands and Warnings: A Potential Strike Looms

The NUT has called on security agencies to intensify rescue operations to secure the safe release of all abducted victims without delay. The union also urged the Federal Government and affected state governments to strengthen security around schools and adopt proactive measures to prevent future attacks. These measures could include deploying security personnel to schools, installing surveillance systems, and establishing rapid response teams for rural areas.

According to the union, the continued attacks on schools pose a major threat to the education sector and the future of children and the country at large. The statement read: “Teachers cannot effectively discharge their duties in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, where they are subjected to inhuman acts of kidnapping, maiming, and killing.”

In a stark warning, the NUT declared that teachers may be forced to withdraw their services if attacks on schools continue unabated. This would effectively mean a nationwide strike, potentially crippling the education system and leaving millions of children without access to learning. The union emphasized that this is not a threat but a last resort, as the safety of its members must come first.

Practical Steps for Governments and Communities

To address this crisis, the NUT recommends the following actionable steps:

• Immediate Rescue Operations: Security agencies must prioritize the safe return of all abducted victims, using intelligence-led operations and community collaboration.
• School Security Audits: Governments should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all schools, especially those in high-risk areas, and implement physical barriers, alarm systems, and emergency protocols.
• Community Policing: Engage local vigilantes and community leaders in protecting schools, as they often have the best knowledge of local threats.
• Psychosocial Support: Provide trauma counseling and mental health services for affected teachers, students, and families to help them recover and return to normalcy.
• Policy Reforms: Enact and enforce laws that classify attacks on schools as crimes against humanity, ensuring perpetrators face severe penalties.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The NUT’s condemnation is a clarion call for all stakeholders—government, security agencies, civil society, and international partners—to act decisively. The safety of teachers and students is not negotiable. Without urgent intervention, the education sector in Nigeria faces collapse, with long-term consequences for the nation’s development. The union stands in solidarity with the affected schools, the families of the murdered teachers, and the abducted principal, teachers, pupils, and students. It is time to turn words into action and ensure that every child in Nigeria can learn in peace.

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