By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Today, June 2, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Taraba State Wing, alongside teachers across the nation, staged a peaceful protest to demand the immediate release of their colleagues and pupils who are being held captive by bandits in Oyo state.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) alongside students from various schools, staged a solidarity protest in Jalingo over the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.
The protesters marched from Barde Way to TY Danjuma House, carrying placards with messages condemning kidnapping and calling for the protection of teachers and students.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Commissioner for Vocational and Secondary Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, described the incident as barbaric and unacceptable. She called for intensified efforts by security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing schools and safeguarding residents across Taraba State.
Head of Service, Hamidu Kara, noted that the state government places high priority on education and the welfare of teachers and students.
Some of the placards display by students reads,
The blackboard stands lonely.
Chalk lies broken in silence.
Desks that once carried dreams now carry fears
The voices of children that should rise with songs and recitations have been swallowed by terror.
A teacher has fallen.
A guardian of knowledge.
A builder of futures.
One who left home to nurture destinies but never returned alive.
Who kills a teacher wages war against tomorrow.
Who kidnaps children kidnaps the hope of a nation.
The soil of Oriire has tasted innocent blood, and the air itself trembles with grief.
O departed educator,
you did not carry weapons,
you carried books.
You did not spread fear,
you spread light.
Yet darkness struck you down in the line of duty.
Now mathematics mourns.
English language mourns.
The assembly ground mourns.
The school bell rings like a cry in the wilderness.
The tears of mothers flood the earth.
Fathers stare helplessly into the night.
Colleagues stand broken, asking questions only heaven can answer.
How long shall classrooms become battlefields?
How long shall children learn under the shadow of gunmen?
How long shall teachers write lesson notes while death writes ambushes?
O God of mercy,
comfort the families of the slain.
Heal the wounded hearts.
Protect the captives in the forest.
Bring back every child.
Bring back every teacher.
And let the land know peace again.
To the soul of the departed,
may your sacrifice never be forgotten.
May your memory become a trumpet that awakens leaders and society.
And may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Esiele shall rise again.
Education shall speak again.
And light shall return where darkness tried to reign.
Meanwhile, twenty kidnap victims, including six schoolchildren, have regained their freedom after spending between 36 and 50 days in captivity in different parts of Kaduna State.
The schoolchildren, their driver, and two other adults were abducted on April 26 along the Akwando-Kachia Road in Kachia Local Government Area while travelling to school.
After 36 days in captivity, the victims were released and reportedly trekked for about six hours through the bush before finally reaching home. Former media aide Reuben Buhari confirmed the development, revealing that the victims endured a difficult ordeal during their time in captivity.
‘Thirty-six days after they were kidnapped while on their way to school in Kachia from Akwando village, six schoolchildren, the driver of the vehicle and two other adults regained their freedom yesterday and got home this morning after trekking for six hours in the bush,’ Buhari said. He noted that the children had missed nearly an entire academic term due to the abduction and described their experience as traumatic.
In a separate incident, 11 residents of Gadanaji Community, including women and children, also regained their freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity. The victims were abducted during a bandit attack on the community on April 9. Buhari expressed gratitude to individuals and groups who contributed to efforts that led to the victims’ release.
He also called for continued prayers and support for other victims who remain in the custody of kidnappers across the state. The release of the 20 victims brings relief to their families and communities, even as concerns persist over recurring cases of banditry and kidnapping in parts of Kaduna State and the wider North-West region.