Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has criticised some social media content creators for allegedly exploiting tragic incidents for personal gain, urging Nigerians to channel their efforts toward finding solutions to the country’s worsening security challenges.
Obasa made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State chapter, who staged a protest at the Assembly complex in Ikeja over the recent abduction of teachers, pupils and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The demonstration was part of a nationwide protest organised by the NUT to draw attention to the growing wave of kidnappings and attacks targeting schools, teachers and students across Nigeria.
Addressing the protesters, the Speaker said the plight of victims of insecurity should not be turned into social media content aimed at attracting attention or generating financial benefits.
“You cannot make a profit out of some people’s misfortune. What we should be doing is looking for lasting solutions and rescuing the teachers and pupils. Everybody can contribute; it is not about the government alone,” Obasa stated.
He stressed that tackling insecurity requires a collective effort, noting that citizens must support security agencies by providing useful information and participating in initiatives aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
Obasa also reiterated his long-standing support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical step toward addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
“We are all concerned about the situation, particularly the one that happened in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Here at the Lagos State House of Assembly, we have consistently championed the creation of state police.
“Recently, we read about President Bola Tinubu’s position on state police. This further confirms that it is both necessary and important for this country to have state police. It is not about protesting alone; we all need to come together to find lasting solutions,” he said.
The Speaker assured parents, teachers and stakeholders that authorities at all levels of government were working to secure the release of the abducted victims.
He added that President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were deeply concerned about the incident, while calling on state and local governments to take greater responsibility for security within their jurisdictions.
Obasa further highlighted Lagos State’s efforts to improve local security through legislation, citing the establishment of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, which he said later inspired the Amotekun security network adopted across the South-West.
Earlier, Lagos State NUT Chairman, Akintoye Hassan, said the protest was driven not only by the recent Oyo abduction but also by years of attacks on schools and education workers nationwide.
According to him, insecurity in the education sector has persisted since major incidents such as the Chibok and Dapchi school kidnappings, with teachers and students remaining vulnerable.
“Our effort is not even about the recent Oyo incident. It dates back to 2014 when we had the Chibok and Dapchi incidents. Teachers of Nigeria not only teach knowledge; we teach values. Part of the values we teach are resilience, endurance and tolerance,” Hassan said.
He urged Nigerians to stop viewing insecurity solely as a government responsibility, arguing that members of the public also play a role in combating criminal activities.
“This banditry has no respect for status, religion or ethnicity. It is affecting every sector of society. Let us stop trading blame,” he said.
Hassan also questioned the level of security in public schools, noting that government buildings and residences of top public officials often enjoy stronger protection than facilities used by ordinary citizens.
He pointed out that strict security measures were in place at government institutions, including the Lagos State House of Assembly, while schools and hospitals remained largely exposed to security threats.
The NUT chairman disclosed that the union’s national leadership would review reports from the nationwide protests before deciding on the next line of action regarding school safety and the release of abducted teachers and students.
