Wike assures safe return of abducted students, teachers as NUT protests

Teachers staged a protest at the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, voicing concerns over the escalating wave of school kidnappings across Nigeria. The demonstration highlighted growing anxieties within the education sector regarding the safety of both pupils and educators following a series of attacks on schools nationwide.

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We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued.

The protests come in the wake of significant abductions, including 42 pupils taken from schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas in Borno State on May 13 and 14. In Oyo State, another 40 pupils were abducted on May 15 from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area. The Oyo attack also resulted in the deaths of a mathematics teacher, a motorcyclist, and a security operative during rescue attempts.

In response to the demonstrations, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike assured protesters that the government shares their concerns and is actively monitoring security agencies' efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity. "We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued," Wike stated.

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I have that confidence that the security system will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students who are being kidnapped are rescued, and let it be prompt.

Wike expressed confidence in the security agencies' capabilities to free the victims and urged citizens to support ongoing operations. He also cautioned against framing the insecurity crisis as a political issue, emphasizing that it transcends state and regional boundaries and requires a unified national response. "We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues. That is what I will not support," he added, acknowledging the difficult circumstances under which government institutions are working to protect citizens.

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We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues. That is what I will not support. We are all concerned about the security situation and how the teachers and students should be released.