Kogi teachers protest school abductions, call for enhanced security measures

The Nigeria Union of Teachers' Kogi State chapter held a peaceful protest in Lokoja to condemn the increasing abductions of schoolchildren and attacks on educational institutions nationwide. The protest, aligned with a national directive, highlighted growing insecurity in schools, including recent abductions in Oyo and Borno states. Comrade Abayomi Ayoola, the state chairman, expressed deep concern over recurring school attacks, describing the situation as disturbing and traumatic for the education sector. He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted victims and to strengthen the nation's security architecture through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced border surveillance, and stronger international collaboration against criminal elements. Ayoola also emphasized the need for government at all levels to address unemployment, which he believes contributes to criminal activities. He warned that continued attacks on schools could deter parents from enrolling their children, undermining educational access. Ayoola acknowledged the difficult decisions families face regarding ransom payments, noting that kidnapping has become a profitable criminal enterprise, and called for decisive government action to end this menace. Recent attacks in Oyo State, where teachers and pupils were abducted, and in Borno State, where dozens of schoolchildren were kidnapped, have intensified concerns over school security.