Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The National leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has expressed dismay over the re-emerging incidence of school invasion and abduction of teachers and students across the country’s educational institutions.
In a statement on Tuesday, signed by NUT’s Secretary General, Dr Mike Ike Ene, the union unequivocally called on the federal, states and local government to ensure adequate security and 24-hour surveillance around schools.
The body threatened to go on strike if attacks on schools is not halted.
“In light of these recent developments, the Nigeria Union of Teachers may be compelled to down tools pending when it is safe for our members to teach and guide our pupils and students without fear of abduction by these faceless enemies of educational prosperity of the Nigerian Nation,” the statement said.
The teachers’ body maintained that the recent condemnable events of bandits’ attack on schools, if not immediately addressed, will largely affect the 2019/2020 academic calendar, which has already been disrupted by the six month long lock down caused by the COVID- 19 pandemic.
“As a union, the NUT will not fold her hands and watch enemies of educational development to threaten the nation’s educational system to suffocation.
“As such we wish to remind our government at all levels, of their primary responsibility as enshrined in the constitution which is the security of lives and property of the entire Nigerian citizens,” it said.
The NUT said terrorists kidnapped Mr. Alu Ola Paul, a Head teacher with Olagua Primary School Ohordua in Edo State, on the 1st December, and on 8th December, 2020, Mrs. Gladys Niemogha Belleh and Mrs. Blessing Emunefe both of whom are teachers of Ohorhe Secondary School Effurun in Delta State were also kidnapped in their school premises by armed bandits.
It said they were yet to be released.
NUT said similarly, the night of Friday 11th December, 2020, Government Science Secondary School Kankara in katsina State, was invaded by armed bandits with reports that 333 students are yet to be accounted for as at today.
The teachers’ association added that this dastardly act had sent shivers through the spine of other members of the entire school community of Katsina State.
“Unfortunately, it is becoming apparent that the government cannot provide security for our teachers, students and the educational community across Nigeria.
“This unfortunate situation must be addressed without further contemplation,” it said.
The NUT said government must begin to consider the implementation of life insurance and hazard allowance to teachers in Basic and Senior Secondary Schools as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day 2020.
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