Scores of protesting teachers, led by the Lagos State NUT Chairman, Comrade Akintoye Mujeeb, on Tuesday staged a walk to the Lagos State House of Assembly and Government House, bemoaning the continued attacks on innocent citizens, including students and teachers.
The Lagos State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) wielding placards with bold inscriptions stating their demands,, also threatened to down-tool in solidarity with their Oyo State counterparts if the needful is not done in a week’s time.
The placard reads, “An attack on teachers is an attack on education”, “When the teacher is afraid, the future is endangered”, “Set our teachers, pupils, students free from captivity”.
Addressing the protesters, Mujeeb declared that teachers could no longer remain silent in the face of growing insecurity.
“Enough is enough. How many people will these bandits continue to kill? They have been killing us, and now we are saying enough is enough,” he said.
He noted that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to halt the killings and kidnappings that have continued to threaten the safety of Nigerians.
The NUT chairman emphasized that teachers across the country were united in demanding stronger measures to protect lives and ensure the safety of schools and communities.
Responding to the protesters, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, commended the teachers for conducting themselves peacefully and lawfully.
He praised the protesters for presenting their grievances without violence or disruption of public order and also commended security personnel for maintaining peace during the demonstration.
Obasa said the Lagos Assembly shares the concerns of Nigerians over the worsening security situation and assured the teachers that their message would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities.
“We are all concerned about the situation, particularly the incident that occurred in your state. I commend you for refusing to fold your hands and remain silent while these events are taking place,” he said.
The Speaker stressed that insecurity is a national challenge that requires collective action from all levels of government and citizens.
He reiterated the Assembly’s longstanding support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical step toward addressing security challenges across the country.
According to him, the Lagos State House of Assembly has consistently advocated for state policing and has enacted laws and resolutions aimed at improving security and public safety.
Obasa also urged state governments, local government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders to work together to protect lives and property.
He noted that while the Federal Government is making efforts to tackle insecurity, state and local governments also have constitutional responsibilities in ensuring the safety of residents.
The Speaker further cautioned against the spread of negative narratives on social media, urging citizens to focus on constructive engagement and support efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to the country’s security challenges.
He assured the protesters that Lagos State would continue to prioritize the security of its residents and support initiatives designed to promote peace, stability, and public safety.
The protest ended peacefully, with the teachers insisting that urgent action must be taken to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and stem the tide of kidnappings and killings across the country.
It will be recalled that the union have earlier disclosed its planned protest in a notice signed by its State Secretary, Comrade Ayetoba Gbenga, and made available to journalists on Monday.
