Borno Teachers Storm Streets, Demand Rescue of Abducted Schoolchildren

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Hundreds of teachers under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Borno State on Tuesday marched through major streets of Maiduguri and converged on the Government House to demand the immediate rescue of abducted schoolchildren and stronger security measures to protect schools across the state.

The protest, which was part of a nationwide directive issued by the national leadership of the NUT, aimed to draw attention to the growing threat of insecurity in educational institutions and the continued captivity of pupils and students abducted from the Mussa community in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The rally followed a circular issued on May 29, 2026, by the union’s national president, Audu Amba, and national secretary, Clinton Ikpitibo, directing all state chapters to organise solidarity demonstrations in support of victims of school-related abductions and attacks.

Leading the protest in Maiduguri, the Secretary of the NUT in Borno State, Bako Monguno, and the union’s National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Tom, called on governments at all levels to act swiftly to secure the release of the abducted learners and guarantee the safety of schools nationwide.

Addressing the protesters, Tom said education remains a fundamental right that violence and insecurity must not endanger.

“We are gathered here to demand the unconditional release of the pupils of Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira/Uba. Children deserve protection and access to education without fear,” he said.

He urged the authorities to intensify rescue efforts and strengthen security around schools, noting that teachers and students should not have to live under the constant threat of kidnapping.

The state treasurer of the union, Mustapha Usman, expressed concern over what he described as the inadequate attention being given to the plight of the abducted children and their families.

“We are dissatisfied with the authorities’ response to the abduction of the Mussa community children. These pupils deserve urgent intervention, and we are here to ensure their voices are not forgotten,” Usman said.

Also speaking, a teacher, Abdullahi Saidu, appealed to the government and security agencies to ensure that every child held in captivity is safely reunited with their families.

“No student should remain in the hands of kidnappers. The government must do everything possible to secure their release,” he said.

Another protester, Ibrahim, lamented the rising insecurity affecting communities across the country, saying innocent citizens continue to bear the consequences.

“For how long will this situation continue? Pupils, teachers, travellers and ordinary citizens are no longer safe. We need decisive action to end these attacks and restore confidence in our security system,” he said.

The peaceful protest ended with participants carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for safe schools, enhanced security and the immediate release of all abducted learners.

The demonstration reflects growing concerns among education stakeholders over the increasing incidents of school abductions and attacks, particularly in conflict-affected communities where access to education remains under constant threat.

Gombe NUT Leads Solidarity Rally for Kidnapped Teachers, Students

By Auwal AHmad Umar

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Gombe State Wing, on Monday led a solidarity rally calling for the immediate release of teachers and students abducted by bandits and terrorists across the country, describing the attacks on schools as a direct threat to Nigeria’s future.

Speaking during the rally, the Chairman of NUT in Gombe State, Comrade Ali Baba Dalhatu, said teachers across Nigeria were joining colleagues worldwide in solidarity with educators and learners who have become victims of insecurity.

Dalhatu lamented the increasing cases of attacks on schools, kidnappings, and killings of teachers and students, noting that many families have been left devastated while communities continue to live in fear and uncertainty.

According to him, the continued detention of innocent teachers and learners is unacceptable and requires urgent action from government and security agencies.

“An attack on a teacher is an attack on education, and an attack on education is an attack on the future of Nigeria,” he said.

The NUT chairman stressed that teachers dedicate their lives to nurturing future generations and should not be exposed to violence while carrying out their professional duties.

He called on the Federal Government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to intensify efforts toward rescuing all abducted teachers and students and ensuring adequate protection for schools across the country.

Dalhatu also urged Nigerians to reject the normalization of attacks on educational institutions, warning that such incidents undermine learning, community development, and national progress.

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all teachers and learners being held in captivity. Schools must remain safe spaces for teaching and learning,” he added.

Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the event, the Chief of Staff, Government House Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, expressed sympathy with the victims and their families.

He said the Gombe State Government shares in the pain of those whose loved ones remain in captivity, describing the situation as heartbreaking and unfortunate.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Gombe State, we share in the pain of our brothers, sisters, teachers, students, and children who are currently in captivity. This is a very difficult time for all of us as a nation,” Kari said.

The Chief of Staff assured participants that the state government has continued to adopt proactive measures to safeguard schools and communities.

According to him, Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has strengthened collaboration with conventional and community-based security agencies to ensure the safety of educational institutions across the state.

“Our schools are well secured, and we will continue to take proactive steps to protect learners, teachers, and communities,” he stated.

The rally concluded with prayers for the safe return of all kidnapped teachers and students, as participants renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and guarantee access to education without fear.

Many of the participants carried placards with messages demanding justice for victims and urging authorities to prioritise the safety of teachers and learners nationwide.

FUGA Begins Five-Year Strategic Planning Retreat, Targets Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Gashua, Professor Yaqub Ahmed Geidam, has reaffirmed the institution’s determination to embrace innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development as the university commenced a three-day retreat to develop its 2026–2031 strategic plan.

The retreat, involving major stakeholders from the university community, aims to produce a comprehensive blueprint to guide the institution’s academic, administrative, and infrastructural development over the next five years.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Adamu Saleh, Head of Information and Public Relations of the university, and made available to journalists in Damaturu on Thursday.

Participants at the retreat include members of the university council, the management team, deans, directors, heads of departments, labour unions, students, and representatives of Flexisaf Edusoft Consult.

Speaking during the opening session, Professor Geidam described the exercise as a critical step toward shaping the future direction of the university.

According to him, the retreat represents a foundation for defining the institution’s priorities, strengthening its identity, and positioning it for greater relevance in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that since assuming office on February 11, 2026, he had embarked on extensive consultations and assessments involving stakeholders, institutional structures, and available resources to better understand the university’s needs and opportunities.

He noted that initiating the strategic planning process within his first 100 days in office was intentional and aimed at providing a clear roadmap for sustainable progress.

Professor Geidam said the university occupies a strategic position in advancing access to quality education while also addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges affecting communities within the Sahel region.

He identified several priority areas expected to shape the new development framework, including the introduction of market-driven academic programmes such as biotechnology, cyber security, information technology, software engineering, entrepreneurship, and Islamic banking and finance.

The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the importance of expanding student enrolment in a structured manner supported by improved infrastructure and enhanced welfare services.

On digital transformation, he emphasised the university’s commitment to modern learning systems through blended learning approaches and the adoption of advanced learning management systems.

Environmental sustainability also featured prominently in his remarks, with Professor Geidam highlighting the institution’s FUGA Green Code initiative as a vital component of its long-term vision due to the university’s location within an ecologically vulnerable environment.

He further called for a results-orientated implementation framework backed by measurable performance indicators, monitoring systems, and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective execution of the strategic objectives.

Professor Geidam stressed the importance of inclusiveness in the planning process, maintaining that the success of the strategic plan would depend largely on how well it reflects the collective aspirations of stakeholders across the university community.

The retreat also attracted several prominent academics and experts, including J. D. Amin, Aliyu Suleiman Kantudu, Mohammed D. Madawaki, Mustapha Bala Abubakar, Halima Idrisa Gambo, Fatima Alfa Tahir, and Hamidu Usman.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the contributions of the participants and resource persons would help produce a practical, forward-looking, and globally competitive strategic document capable of transforming the university.

He urged all participants to contribute meaningfully and approach the assignment with commitment and a shared vision for the institution’s future.

At the conclusion of the retreat, the university is expected to unveil a consensus-driven strategic plan designed to position Federal University Gashua as a leading institution for academic excellence, innovation, and sustainability in Nigeria and beyond.