•Delta Govt urges patience, confidence in ongoing rescue efforts

The Delta State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday joined its counterparts across the country in a peaceful solidarity rally, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of teachers and learners abducted by bandits in Oyo State and other parts of the country.

The solidarity rally by the Teachers to Government House, Asaba, formed part of a nationwide protest by the NUT, and drew hundreds of teachers who marched peacefully to express concern over the worsening security situation and the continued captivity of their colleagues and students.

Chairman of the State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Dickson Poubeni, who spoke during the rally, said the union stood firmly in solidarity with the abducted victims and their families and would continue to pursue every lawful avenue to ensure their safe rescue and reunification with their loved ones.

According to him, the abduction of teachers and students represents a direct assault on the nation’s educational system and a threat to the future of Nigerian children.

“Today, we mourn the painful loss of colleagues who have been brutally murdered in cold blood. We also hear the desperate cries of a school principal and a teacher who have passionately appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the NUT, ANCOPSS, and all well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene and secure the release of those held captive through constructive engagement with their abductors.

“In view of the continued captivity of our colleagues and learners in the hands of their abductors, with no clear indication of their imminent rescue and safe release, we have joined teachers across the nation to raise our voices and sustain this call until the abducted teacher and learner regains freedom and returns safely to their families,” he stated.

Responding on behalf of the Delta State Government, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, reaffirmed the state’s solidarity with the abducted teachers, students, and their families, assuring them that government remained deeply concerned about their plight.

Dr. Emu described kidnapping and banditry as one of the most serious security challenges confronting Nigeria in recent years, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost constitutional responsibility of government at all levels.

While commending the NUT for organizing a peaceful nationwide rally, he noted that the protest had further amplified the concerns already being expressed by families, communities, and citizens across the country over the fate of the abducted victims.

The SSG urged Nigerians to remain confident in the efforts being made by the Federal Government and security agencies, emphasizing that rescue operations involving kidnappers require caution, patience, and strategic planning to avoid endangering the lives of those in captivity.

According to him, security agencies are actively engaged in efforts to secure the victims’ release, while additional measures are being implemented to strengthen security nationwide, including the recent approval of one thousand forest guards to improve surveillance and intelligence gathering in vulnerable areas.

“We stand in complete solidarity with our brothers, sisters, teachers, and students affected by this unfortunate incident. We remain hopeful that, by the grace of God and through the efforts of the Federal Government, our security agencies, they will soon be reunited safely with their families,” Dr. Emu stated.

•PHOTO: The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, addressing members of the Delta State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers during a nationwide solidarity rally held at Government House, Asaba, on Tuesday, calling for the safe and unconditional release of abducted teachers and students by bandits in Oyo State and other parts of the country. PHOTO: Bripin Enarusai.