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Teachers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ondo State on Tuesday staged a solidarity rally in Akure, the state capital, asking the Federal and Oyo State Governments to secure the unconditional and immediate release of the teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State.

The rally, which commenced at the Teachers’ House and proceeded to the Governor’s Office, drew teachers, union leaders, and education stakeholders carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Teachers’ Teach in Peace”, “Secure Every School, Save Every Dream”, “An attack on teachers is an attack on education” among others.

Some suspected kidnappers abducted 39 students and seven teachers in Ahoro and Esinele Communities in Orire District of Oyo State. The Oyo attack also claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist, and some security operatives during rescue efforts.

Speaking during the rally, the Chairman of NUT Ondo State, Comrade Ayodele Samuel Leke, expressed profound shock, sadness, and deep concern over the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State.

The State Chairman described the rally as a one-day peaceful protest intended to send a message to government authorities, saying that attacks on teachers and students threaten access to education, particularly in rural areas.

He condemned the unfortunate incident as a painful reminder of the growing insecurity confronting our nation and the increasing threats to the safety of learners, teachers, and educational institutions across Nigeria.

His words, ” We strongly condemn this reprehensible act and call on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, and all relevant security agencies to rise to the challenge by taking urgent and decisive measures to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all the victims”.

Ayodele lamented the killing of the teacher and the continued attacks on educators and students, describing the situation as disturbing and detrimental to the nation’s educational development.

While praying for the safe return of the victims, the Chairman stated that the Ondo State Wing of NUT stands in solidarity with the affected families, colleagues, and the good people of Oyo State during this difficult period.

The NUT called on all stakeholders and the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to further strengthen and redesign the security architecture of Ondo State to prevent similar occurrences.

He stressed: “As a Union committed to the welfare and safety of teachers and learners, we declare unequivocally that enough is enough. We say no to the kidnapping of teachers, pupils, and other innocent citizens. Our schools and learning environments must be safe, secure, and conducive to quality education.

Comrade Ayodele urged all Nigerians to remain united, vigilant, and supportive during this difficult period, saying that together we can overcome these challenges and build a society where schools are safe havens for learning and growth.

He assured teachers in the state of his leadership commitment to their safety while advocating for the protection of teachers, learners, and all stakeholders in the education sector.

“Learning stops where insecurity begins. Protect education from criminals; teachers deserve security, not fear. The government must wake up and act now.”

Addressing the protesting teachers, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo, commended the peaceful protest conducted by the leadership of NUT in Ondo State, saying there’s nothing wrong with solidarity with their colleagues in Oyo State.

He reminded the teachers of the efforts and measures put in place by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure the lives and property of citizens and residents of Ondo State are safe.

Taiwo added that the State Government will continue to prioritise the safety of teachers, pupils, and others, saying that since the assumption of office of Governor Aiyedatiwa, his government has been teacher-friendly with favourable policies and programmes.

“Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Amotekun Security Network has recruited more personnel, made donations of vehicles to security agencies, and had cordial collaboration with security heads, among others, which have helped secure the state.”

He charged every resident of the state to be security-conscious and provide vital information to security agencies at all times.

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No fewer than 17 people, including seven visitors who had travelled for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, were reportedly killed when bandits attacked Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Residents said the attackers, numbering in the hundreds and riding on motorcycles, invaded the community on Sunday morning, firing indiscriminately, looting shops and forcing villagers to flee into nearby forests.

According to local sources, the assailants were believed to have moved from Bagega village in Zamfara State through Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum Local Government Area before spending the night in Gizazza village ahead of the attack.

A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the gunmen entered Dangulbi between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and immediately opened fire on residents.

“They started shooting as soon as they arrived. People ran in different directions in search of safety, but 17 people lost their lives during the attack,” the source said.

Among those killed were Munde, Nagoma, Abdullahi, Danbala, Munden Chana, Muhammadu Dan Amo, Hassan, Abubakar Danbaba and Yidi Bafillace.

The resident disclosed that five of the victims were visitors from Adarawa in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while two others had travelled from Gidan Gambo in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State for the Sallah celebrations.

According to residents, the bandits remained in the community for several hours after the attack, preventing villagers from recovering and burying the dead until late in the evening.

“They stayed until about 7 p.m., making it impossible for anyone to come out. Funeral prayers were eventually conducted after 9:30 p.m. when they left,” the source added.

Residents further alleged that the attackers looted about 20 shops before moving through nearby communities, including Kukoki and Birnin Magaji, where several people were reportedly abducted.

The abductees were said to have escaped later in the night after a heavy rainstorm created confusion among their captors.

Many residents have since fled Dangulbi and surrounding communities, seeking refuge in safer areas across Tureta, Shagari, Gummi and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas.

Locals appealed to both the federal and state governments to urgently deploy additional security personnel and improve road infrastructure in the area, arguing that poor access roads often delay security responses and leave communities vulnerable to repeated attacks.

The latest incident adds to a series of deadly attacks that have recently plagued communities in the area, raising concerns over the worsening security situation and its potential impact on farming activities ahead of the rainy season.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed he was aware of the incident, adding that security operatives were working to restore normalcy and contain the situation.

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The Enugu State Government and the Enugu State Police Command have dismissed reports and a viral video alleging that innocent citizens were attacked and killed by suspected herdsmen in Awgu Local Government Area, describing the claims as false, misleading, and intended to incite fear among residents.

The government and the police, in separate statements issued on Monday, insisted that no such incident occurred in Awgu or any other part of the state.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the state government said the reports circulating on social media and other platforms were fabricated by individuals seeking to misinform the public and create unnecessary panic.

Agbo stated that residents of Awgu and other communities across Enugu State were peacefully going about their lawful activities, stressing that there had been no security breach of the nature being alleged.

“The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the spurious and completely false report alleging an attack on innocent citizens in Awgu Local Government Area. We wish to state unequivocally that no such incident occurred. The report is fake, baseless, and exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he said.

The commissioner urged residents to disregard the report and refrain from spreading unverified claims capable of causing fear and confusion among citizens.

He added that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah had continued to prioritise security through sustained investments aimed at safeguarding lives and property across the state.

Agbo further alleged that some individuals were attempting to undermine the state’s reputation through the dissemination of false information.

“It is unfortunate that some individuals, apparently uncomfortable with the prevailing peace, security, and stability in Enugu State, would resort to fabricating falsehoods in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points at the expense of Ndi Enugu and the state’s hard-earned reputation as one of the safest destinations in the country,” he added.

Corroborating the government’s position, the Enugu State Police Command said it had also investigated the viral video claiming that persons were killed by herdsmen at Awgu Junction along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and found the allegation to be false.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the command said preliminary findings showed that the incident did not occur as portrayed in the video.

“The Enugu State Police Command is aware of a viral video circulating on social media alleging that persons were killed by herdsmen at Awgu Junction along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway in the state. The Command unequivocally refutes the claim and states that the narrative being circulated is false, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary fear, panic, and tension among residents,” the statement read.

The police said there was no report or credible evidence available to substantiate the allegation, warning against the deliberate spread of unverified and inflammatory information capable of undermining public peace and security.

The command urged members of the public to disregard the video and desist from sharing false information, warning that those found to be involved in the creation or dissemination of misinformation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining public order across the state under the leadership of Mamman Bitrus Giwa.

Both the state government and the police command called on residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while relying only on verified and credible sources of information on security matters.

They also urged citizens to promptly report any genuine security concerns to the police and other relevant security agencies, assuring them of continued efforts to sustain peace and stability across Enugu State.