The Nigeria Union of Teachers said shutting down schools in Borno State over rising insecurity would amount to giving terrorists a victory in their bid to destabilise education in the state.

The National Publicity Secretary of the union, Comrade Yusuf Tom, stated this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Tom, who stood in for the state chairman, Comrade Zali Garba, said the union was committed to keeping schools open despite security challenges, adding that closing them would embolden insurgents.

He said, “We did not order the closure of schools in Borno State. If you close school, it is a victory for fear.

“Therefore, we will continue to encourage our teachers to teach in our respective schools, for us to continue to defeat their (terrorists’) game of seeing schools closed. That is what we are agitating for, we are not agitating for the closure of schools.”

According to him, the planned nationwide rally provides an opportunity for teachers to demand urgent government action over rising cases of abductions in schools.

“Education is part of human rights. But in recent times, the reverse is the case, and this is why we are organising this rally to make our voice heard so that our learners in Askira Uba of Mussa Primary and Secondary School will be released unconditionally.

“These children deserve human rights; they deserve protection. We want the government to intensify efforts in rescuing these children, teachers and colleagues in Borno and other states. The protest will take place nationwide and we are in solidarity with that,” Tom stated.

PUNCH had earlier reported that teachers across the federation were expected to converge on state secretariats on Tuesday (today) for a nationwide protest demanding the unconditional release of abducted teachers and students in Oyo State and other parts of the country.

The simultaneous rallies, scheduled in all 36 state capitals, were organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in response to the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schools and education workers.

The action followed a directive from the national leadership of the NUT in a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by the union’s president, Audu Amba, and secretary, Clinton Ikpitibo.

The circular mandated all state chapters to stage solidarity rallies to draw attention to the worsening insecurity affecting schools. (PUNCH)