Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of teachers, students, and educational institutions across the state amid growing concerns over attacks on schools and the abduction of education workers in some parts of the country.
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday when members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State Wing, embarked on a peaceful protest to the Government House in Port Harcourt. The demonstration was part of a nationwide advocacy campaign aimed at drawing attention to the increasing security challenges confronting schools and education personnel across Nigeria.
The protesting teachers, who carried placards bearing various messages, expressed support for colleagues and students reportedly abducted from schools in Oyo State and other parts of the country. They also paid tribute to a teacher said to have lost his life during one of the attacks, while calling for stronger measures to protect schools and those who work and learn in them.
Thank you for visiting The Vestigator, don't forget to share!
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting schools and creating a safe environment for teachers and students across the state.
He stated that the government has continued to work closely with security agencies to strengthen safety measures around educational institutions and prevent cases of kidnapping, violence, and other security threats. The governor assured the protesting teachers that Rivers State would remain steadfast in its efforts to safeguard educators and learners, while expressing optimism that ongoing interventions by the Federal Government and security agencies would secure the release of those still being held captive.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State Wing, Comrade Bassey Asuquo, described the demonstration as a peaceful show of solidarity with teachers and students who have fallen victim to recent attacks.
He expressed concern over the growing insecurity facing educators, noting that many teachers now leave their homes each day unsure of whether they will return safely.
“Schools are meant to be safe spaces for learning, growth, and development—not places marked by fear and violence,” Asuquo said. “Attacks on schools go beyond harming individuals; they threaten the future of our nation.”
He cautioned against viewing the incidents as isolated cases, pointing to similar attacks on schools in different parts of the country as evidence of a broader national challenge.
The union called for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted teachers and students and urged both federal and state authorities to intensify efforts to improve security in schools nationwide.
Among its key demands were the deployment of adequate security personnel to public schools and the implementation of a comprehensive national school safety policy to protect students, teachers, and educational facilities from attacks, abductions, and other forms of violence.
The protest concluded peacefully, with the union reaffirming its dedication to advocating for safer and more secure learning environments for teachers and students across Nigeria.
