VIDEO: Bayelsa schoolchildren lead protests against kidnappings

Students of Government Secondary School Aleibiri in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State protest school abductions. Photo: Facebook| Gberenemi Ozu

The ongoing nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers over the school abductions in Oyo State gained significant momentum on Tuesday as some schools in Bayelsa State reportedly joined the mass action. Viral videos circulating on social media showed schoolchildren and teachers in Bayelsa State marching, chanting solidarity songs, and demanding the immediate rescue of students and teachers currently held by terrorists. In Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, a video shared on Facebook by Golden Agagowei showed pupils of Community Primary School, Isoni, out of their classrooms and lined up in their blue uniforms. The young children were seen chanting, “Federal Government, release our students! Federal Government, release our teachers!” Pupils of Community Primary School Isoni in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State protest school abductions. Photo: Facebook: Golden Agagowei Speaking in the video, Alex Egbagara, the protest leader, made an appeal to the presidency, saying, “We join the nationwide protest for the release of our kidnapped teachers and students in Oyo. Please, Federal Government, look into the matter and the cries of the Isoni community students.” A similar demonstration was reported in Ekeremor Local Government Area, where staff and students of Government Secondary School, Aleibiri, were said to have staged their own march. In a video posted on Facebook by Gberenemi Ozu, a crowd of secondary students held up handwritten placards and chanted the popular labour anthem: “Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our right!” Related News Atiku laments abduction of ex- minister Adelabu’s sister, twin nephews NLC backs teachers’ strike, demands release of abducted pupils Oyo APC decries abduction of Adelabu’s sister, sons Students of Government Secondary School Aleibiri in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State protest school abductions. Photo: Facebook| Gberenemi Ozu The videos of schoolchildren chanting labour songs and protesting insecurity have sparked reactions across digital platforms, with citizens expressing grief over the state of the nation. On Facebook, Daukoru Monigha wrote, “May the good Lord deliver our children for us,” while Wisdom Minadoki encouraged the momentum, writing, “Let’s keep going till our voice is heard.” “This protest has to include all schools, both private and public, hence NUT has failed woefully. Because the children of government officials are in private school