03, May 2026
The Delta State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday staged a peaceful solidarity rally in Asaba, joining counterparts nationwide to demand the immediate and unconditional release of teachers and students abducted by bandits in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
Hundreds of teachers marched to Government House, Asaba, as part of the coordinated NUT protest, raising concerns over rising insecurity and the prolonged captivity of their colleagues and learners.
Speaking during the rally, Delta NUT Chairman, Comrade Dickson Poubeni, said the union stands firmly with the abducted victims and their families. He vowed that the NUT would continue to explore all lawful means to ensure their safe rescue and return.
Poubeni described the abduction of teachers and students as a direct attack on Nigeria’s education system and a threat to the future of Nigerian children.
“Today, we mourn the painful loss of colleagues who have been brutally murdered in cold blood. We also hear the desperate cries of a school principal and a teacher who have passionately appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the NUT, ANCOPSS, and all well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene and secure the release of those held captive through constructive engagement with their abductors,” he said.
He added that with no clear indication of the victims’ imminent release, teachers across the nation will keep raising their voices until those abducted regain freedom.
“In view of the continued captivity of our colleagues and learners in the hands of their abductors, with no clear indication of their imminent rescue and safe release, we have joined teachers across the nation to raise our voices and sustain this call until the abducted teacher and learner regains freedom and returns safely to their families,” Poubeni stated.
Responding on behalf of the Delta State Government, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, reaffirmed the state’s solidarity with the victims and their families, assuring them that government remains deeply concerned about their plight.
Dr. Emu described kidnapping and banditry as one of the most serious security challenges facing Nigeria, stressing that protecting lives and property is the foremost constitutional duty of government at all levels.
He commended the NUT for holding a peaceful nationwide rally, noting that the protest had further amplified concerns already expressed by families and communities over the fate of the abducted victims.
The SSG urged Nigerians to remain confident in the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies. He explained that rescue operations require caution, patience, and strategic planning to avoid endangering those in captivity.
According to Emu, security agencies are actively working to secure the victims’ release, while additional measures are being taken to strengthen national security. He cited the recent approval of one thousand forest guards to boost surveillance and intelligence gathering in vulnerable areas.
“We stand in complete solidarity with our brothers, sisters, teachers, and students affected by this unfortunate incident. We remain hopeful that, by the grace of God and through the efforts of the Federal Government, our security agencies, they will soon be reunited safely with their families,” Dr. Emu said.
