The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has cautioned labour unions and civil society groups against declaring strikes and mass protests over the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, warning that such actions could inadvertently advance the objectives of terrorists.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, on Friday, the student body expressed concern over calls by the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) urging the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a statewide strike and mass demonstrations.
While acknowledging the constitutional rights of groups to advocate for industrial action and public protests, NANS stressed that such rights must be exercised responsibly, particularly at a time when the lives of kidnapped teachers and schoolchildren remain at risk.
“Without an iota of doubt, it breaks the heart to see children sent by their parents and guardians to school to study, end up as pawns and objects of negotiations in the hands of kidnappers,” the association stated.
NANS argued that shutting down economic and social activities through strikes could play into the hands of criminal elements responsible for the abduction.
“Rather than call on labour unions to shut down the country, which is exactly what these terrorists want to achieve, we should, as it happened in other climes, use the period to unite against terrorists and reflect on how to make Nigeria better,” the statement said.
The association expressed confidence that government authorities were actively working towards securing the release of the victims, noting that no administration would remain indifferent to such a tragedy, especially during an election period.
“It should, however, be noted that no government worth its salt would, especially in an election year, fold its hands and watch terrorists keep children away from their parents and loved ones,” NANS added.
Drawing parallels with international experiences, the student body referenced Israel’s response to the 2023 Hamas attacks, arguing that national unity rather than widespread protests should guide the country’s reaction to terrorism.
“When Hamas struck Israel in 2023, killing over 1,000 of her citizens and kidnapped hundreds, Israeli citizens didn’t play into the hands of their attackers by protesting and calling on unions to shut down the country. They forgot all their differences and rallied around the government to hit back at their adversaries,” the statement noted.
NANS further called on Nigerians to view the fight against terrorism as a collective responsibility rather than solely that of government, citing the country’s resilience during the civil war and other periods of national uncertainty.
“We have since 2010 carried on as if terrorism is the burden of government. It is high time we changed that mindset. Nigeria is a very blessed country. It is best to unite against terrorism and solve this problem once and for all,” the association said.
The student body maintained that national solidarity and cooperation among citizens, security agencies and government institutions remain critical to overcoming insecurity and securing the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.
