JOS, PLATEAU STATE – Teachers in Plateau State on Tuesday staged a protest over rising insecurity and repeated cases of school kidnappings, calling on the state government and security agencies to take urgent action to protect educational institutions and restore safety in learning environments.
The protest, which drew participants from various parts of the state, saw teachers marching through major routes while carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding improved security for schools and better welfare for education workers.
The educators expressed deep concern over what they described as escalating threats to students and staff, warning that continued attacks on schools could severely disrupt academic activities and discourage school attendance across affected communities.
They also submitted a list of demands to state authorities, urging immediate intervention to secure schools, deploy more security personnel to vulnerable areas, and strengthen intelligence gathering to prevent further abductions.
According to the teachers, insecurity has become one of the most pressing challenges facing the education sector in Plateau State, with repeated incidents of kidnappings creating fear among parents, students, and school administrators.
The protesters stressed that safe learning environments are essential for national development, adding that teachers cannot effectively perform their duties under constant fear of attacks or abduction.
They further called for improved welfare packages, including better remuneration, timely payment of salaries, and hazard allowances for teachers operating in high-risk areas.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that attacks on schools could have long-term consequences on human capital development, particularly in northern and central parts of Nigeria where such incidents have been more frequent.
Stakeholders in the education sector have urged both federal and state governments to adopt a coordinated strategy that includes community-based security systems, rapid response mechanisms, and increased funding for school protection initiatives.
The teachers also appealed for stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies to ensure timely reporting and prevention of suspicious activities around school environments.
Government representatives are expected to review the demands presented by the teachers, although no official response had been released at the time of filing this report.
The protest was largely peaceful, with organizers calling on members of the public to support efforts aimed at safeguarding education and ensuring that children can learn without fear of violence or abduction.
The development adds to a growing wave of concerns across Nigeria’s education sector, as stakeholders continue to push for sustainable solutions to insecurity affecting schools nationwide.
