BY John Odhe, YENAGOA
Teachers in Bayelsa State under the umbrella of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Tuesday, embarked on a road walk in solidarity with the teachers and children abducted by unknown gunman in Oyo State, western Nigeria.
The school children and teachers were kidnapped on May 15th, 2026 at Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the State.
Some video clips recently circulated on the social media showed dehumanising and horrific treatments being meted to the children in captivity as well as a gory scene of one of the abducted teachers who was gruesomely beheaded by the suspected terrorists.
During the march, the NUT chairman in Bayelsa State, Comrade Richman Otobo led other sympathising teachers along the Melford Okilo Expressway in Yenagoa, the State capital, chanting solidarity songs.
The teachers carried placards bearing various inscriptions such as “Secure our schools, secure our future.” “Enough of bloodshed in our schools.” “End the reign of fear in our schools,” “Bandits must never dictate the future of education,” and Teachers need protection, not condolences,” amongst others.
The NUT members commenced the walk from the Amarata Primary School field and terminated at the Government House front where the chairman addressed the public.
Otobo noted that the peaceful protest was a directive from the national leadership of the NUT as a mark of solidarity with the victims and their colleagues in Oyo State and a call on the federal government to ensure safe release of the abducted persons.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. That is our basic slogan. What is happening in Oyo State can happen in Bayelsa State. If we don’t take this action, it means what is happening in Oyo State can equally happen in our various states where teachers are in the classrooms.
“There is a lot of insecurity in the school system. The schools are not secured. That’s why bandits are intruding to capture our children and teachers.
“So, we are pleading the federal government that the teachers and children in captivity should be released unconditionally.
Also speaking, a teacher and mother, Comrade Akadah Emomotimi relived the traumatic conditions of the Oyo kidnap victims, describing it as better imagined than experienced.
“Our children are suffering in the bush. We don’t know where they have taken them to. Insecurity is causing a lot of problem in this country.
“Having seen the videos, we are crying in our hearts. They should release our children and teachers to us. What is happening in this country we can’t tell anymore. We are heavy in our hearts. Federal government, state government, please come to our help,” she lamented.
Akadah, who is the chairman, Sagbama branch of the NUT, urged further that the victims be released without further delays.
