By Adeola Badru
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), South-West Zone, has threatened to mobilise thousands of school proprietors, teachers and students for peaceful protests across the region if abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State and other parts of the country are not released by June 10.
The association issued the warning while condemning the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as an attack on education and a dangerous sign of worsening insecurity in the country.
In a statement signed by its South-West President, Comrade Deji Olatona, NAPPS said members across the six South-West states would take their grievances to state Houses of Assembly and governors’ offices should authorities fail to secure the victims’ freedom within the stipulated period.
“Should the situation persist till June 10 and the victims are not released, all proprietors, staff and students of NAPPS in the South-West would express our minds through peaceful protest in all our cities to the Houses of Assembly and Governors’ Offices in the six states of the South-West,” Olatona said.
The association said the kidnapping represented an attempt to undermine education, which it described as one of society’s most cherished values.
“The recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and other parts of this country is an attempt meant to hinder the advancement of our core value, education, which some people want to truncate,” the statement said.
NAPPS called on governors of the six South-West states, traditional rulers and influential leaders in the region to work together to strengthen security architecture, particularly in border communities vulnerable to criminal activities.
“We call on our respected executive governors, our highly honoured imperial majesties and well-placed leaders in this zone to rise up and collaborate effectively by employing more hands in the security networks and securing our towns and villages around neighbouring borders,” Olatona stated.
The association also appealed to the federal government and state governments to take urgent and proactive measures to protect schools and citizens from attacks.
“We say no more to terrorism, abduction and brutal killing of our cherished ones. We appeal to the federal government and state governments across the country to take proactive action in protecting us, especially private and public schools across Nigeria,” the statement added.
NAPPS expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, describing the attack as “barbaric” and “alien to our culture”, while pledging continued support and prayers for the safe return of those still in captivity.
“We strongly oppose attacks on our schools and will continue to pray for the release of all the people in the den of the captors,” Olatona said.
