LAGOS, NIGERIA – Hundreds of folks hit the streets on Tuesday for a rally put together by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). This show of support came after the kidnapping of 39 kids and seven grown-ups from schools in Oyo State. Now, the protesters want those left in custody freed straight away.
People carried signs that read things like “The chalk must speak louder than the gun” and “Kidnapping has no place in education.” Videos from the event captured the marchers holding these powerful slogans. They finished up at the Lagos State House of Assembly, where security was super tight.
Ayetoba Gbenga, who’s the Lagos State Secretary of the NUT, voiced how sad everyone is. He talked about how one teacher died right there during the attack, and sadly, another met a violent end while being held captive.
Ebenezer Ojo, the Nigeria Labour Congress Treasurer in Lagos State, hit hard at the government’s handling of the situation. “If we’re killing those who build our future, there’s nothing left to negotiate,” he said. “The government needs to do more to get our teachers and kids back.” Activist Aj Dagga Tolar agreed, adding that all the rescued pupils should get free higher education. Now, security teams keep searching for the missing folks.
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