The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA) has called for the suspension of Democracy Day celebrations on June 12 if the abducted school children and teachers are not released.
The coalition, during a press briefing on the kidnapping of school children in Oyo, Borno and other parts of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday, also threatened a nationwide peaceful civic action if the government fails to act and called for the suspension of all June 12 celebrations until captives are freed.
Speaking at the briefing, the National Moderator of CSACEFA, Peculiar Caleb, said the repeated kidnapping of school children and teachers is unacceptable, noting that it’s a national shame.
“It is a direct attack on the right to education. Our message is simple, and there is no need to pretend about it, education is under attack. Rescue every abducted child, protect every teacher, secure every school and hold every perpetrator accountable.
“CSACEFA condemns the attacks in the strongest terms. No child should be taken from school. No teacher should be punished for serving the nation. No parent should fear sending a child to school,” she said.
She said schools must be safe havens, not terror zones.
According to her, children should find safety, learning and hope in school, not fear, violence and abduction.
“Stop politicising and tribalising attacks on education. A kidnapped child has no political party. A traumatised parent has no tribe. A closed school is a national wound. Attacks on education must not be used for political negotiation, propaganda or settlement of political differences.
“If the abducted children, teachers and affected citizens are not released before June 12, CSACEFA demands that the federal government, state governments and local governments suspend all forms of national celebration, funfair and ceremonial activities. A nation cannot celebrate democracy while its children are in captivity,” she said.
Speaking further, she said the government must not allow attackers to win.
“Those attacking schools are trying to close classrooms, frighten children and weaken communities. The government must ensure they do not gain the upper hand. Civil society will act if the government fails.
“CSACEFA will mobilise the civil society community, education stakeholders, parents, teachers and concerned citizens for peaceful civic action if the government fails to take decisive and measurable steps,” she added.
Also speaking, Damian-Mary Adeleke, CSACEFA programme manager, said Nigeria is witnessing a sustained attack on education.
“From Chibok to Dapchi, Kankara, Kagara, Jangebe, Tegina, Bethel Baptist, Kuriga, Kebbi, Niger, Borno and now Oyo, schools have increasingly become targets of violence, abduction and fear,” he said.
Mr Adeleke said that the attacks on education are no longer isolated, noting that they have spread across regions, including the North-East, North-West, North-Central and now parts of the South-West.
“The crisis affects boys, girls, toddlers, primary school pupils, secondary school students, teachers, school leaders and parents.
“Every kidnapping leads to fear, school closure, withdrawal of children, teacher absenteeism, trauma and learning loss,” he added.
The programme manager said the crisis worsens Nigeria’s burden of out-of-school children, adding that Nigeria already has one of the highest numbers globally.
“Each attack pushes more children away from school, especially girls and children in poor communities. Nigeria’s global education credibility is at stake.
“Nigeria and Italy are co-hosting the 2026 Global Partnership for Education replenishment campaign. It is not a good fit for Nigeria to seek global education financing while its own children are being kidnapped from schools.
“Safe school commitments must become action. Nigeria has endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration and adopted national policy frameworks. The gap is implementation, financing and accountability,” he noted.
According to him, the government must move from reaction to prevention.
“It is not enough to rescue children after abduction; the real responsibility is to make sure no child is abducted in the first place,” he said.
READ ALSO: Oyo Abduction: Tinubu approves recruitment of 1,000 forest guards
The abduction
On 15 May, armed hoodlums riding motorcycles attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, as well as Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The police confirmed that an assistant headmaster, identified as Mr Adesiyan, was killed during the attack. The police further revealed that an okada rider was also shot dead after resisting attempts by the attackers to seize his motorcycle.
Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed that 25 students and seven teachers were abducted during the attacks. He also confirmed that one of the teachers was killed by the assailants.
Videos later circulated showing that a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the gunmen in a gruesome manner.
The attack sparked outrage from parents and community groups who urged the government to prioritise safe rescue over aggressive operations.
President Bola Tinubu has also condemned the abduction and directed security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators.
