Young students in Bayelsa State have left their classrooms to protest the rising wave of school abductions across Nigeria. Alongside their teachers, they marched through the streets singing solidarity songs and demanding the release of pupils and teachers taken hostage in Oyo State. Videos of their protests have gone viral.

In Sagbama Local Government Area, pupils from Community Primary School, Isoni, stood outside in their blue uniforms chanting, “Federal Government, release our students! Release our teachers!” Protest leader Alex Egbagara appealed directly to the presidency to act quickly and listen to the community’s distress.

A similar march happened in Ekeremor Local Government Area, where students of Government Secondary School, Aleibiri, carried handwritten placards. They sang the labour anthem, “Solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our right!” The sight of young children leading protests has touched many hearts.

The Bayelsa demonstrations are part of a larger nationwide protest by the Nigeria Union of Teachers. Public schools in Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Kogi, and Plateau states have also seen walkouts following the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Many social media users expressed sadness that children must protest for their own safety. One X user wrote, “Very sad to see that children are already singing solidarity songs from a young age.” As families wait for their loved ones’ return, the protests continue to grow.