Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has backed calls for state police during a teachers’ protest over rising insecurity and school kidnappings

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has expressed support for the creation of state police as teachers staged a protest over rising insecurity and recent school kidnappings in parts of the country.

Also read: US-Based Nigerian Novelist Okey Ndibe Held by DSS at Airport

Obasa made the remarks on Tuesday when members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) gathered at the Lagos State Assembly complex to protest the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The protesting teachers, led by Lagos NUT Chairman Comrade Hassan Akintoye, condemned the growing wave of attacks on schools, describing the trend as a serious threat to education and national stability.

Addressing the demonstrators, Obasa said the legislature shares in the pain of teachers and remains committed to seeking lasting solutions to insecurity affecting schools and communities.

“We feel the pains of our teachers and we sympathise with them,” Obasa said. “We are indeed in this together and we will not fold our arms.”

He reaffirmed that the Lagos Assembly has consistently supported the establishment of state police, describing it as a key step toward improving security at the grassroots level.

Obasa noted that the initiative has received backing from President Bola Tinubu, adding that coordinated efforts among security stakeholders would help address rising threats across the country.

He also urged caution in the use of social media, warning against misinformation that could worsen public tension around security incidents.

The Speaker called for collaboration among governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, parents and civil society groups to ensure schools remain safe environments for learning.

The protest was triggered by recent violent attacks on schools, including the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State, which has reignited national debate on school security and policing reforms.

Also read: US-Based Nigerian Novelist Okey Ndibe Held by DSS at Airport

The teachers insisted that urgent government intervention is needed to prevent further tragedies and restore confidence in the education system.