Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has ordered an indefinite strike across all public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, in response to the continued captivity of 46 teachers, students and pupils abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15. The directive, contained in a national circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by NUT National President Audu Amba and Secretary‑General Clinton Ikpitibo, instructs all teachers in the state to withdraw their services until the abducted victims are “safely released”. The union also directed its state wings across the country to organise solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, to press home demands for the unconditional release of the victims and for urgent government action to secure schools nationwide.
The abduction that triggered the strike occurred on the morning of May 15, when about 12 armed men on motorcycles, dressed in military camouflage, simultaneously attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro‑Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele. The gunmen shot sporadically, killing an assistant headmaster, Mr. Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist, before forcing pupils and teachers into the bush. A mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded in a viral video that sparked national outrage. Community leaders identified the abducted victims as 39 pupils and students and seven teachers, including the principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu. A two‑year‑old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, is also among the captives. Despite repeated official assurances and ongoing search operations, the victims remain in captivity, with the principal recently appearing in a video pleading with the government to negotiate for their release.
In a statement announcing the strike, the NUT described the prolonged detention of the victims as “horrifying, inhumane and nightmarish”, lamenting that repeated appeals to security agencies and relevant authorities had failed to secure their release. The union said it was particularly disturbed by reports of the killing of some victims as well as emotional appeals allegedly made by the abducted school principal calling on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and well‑meaning Nigerians to intervene. “In view of the continued detention of our colleagues and learners in the den of their abductors, without any clear sign of their timely rescue and safe release, the national leadership has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released,” the union’s circular read.
The NUT also announced that its state wings across the country would hold solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, to terminate at government houses, where union leaders would address the press on the need for governments at all levels to provide “safe and secured school environments for our teachers and learners”. The union called on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of the abductees through lawful means. In Oyo State, the NUT state chapter, in a circular signed by Secretary Salami Olukayode, confirmed full compliance with the national directive, stating that the prolonged captivity of teachers and students had “created fear and anxiety within the education sector while undermining public confidence in the safety of schools”. It advised members to remain law‑abiding and stay at home while engagements with relevant authorities continue.
The strike came as President Bola Tinubu, under mounting pressure over the crisis, approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify operations in the affected communities. On Sunday, May 31, a high‑powered Federal Government delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector‑General of Police Tunji Disu and Defence Minister General Christopher Musa visited Esiele and Yawota communities. The delegation conveyed the President’s directive to community leaders and lawmakers, and also commiserated with the widow of slain teacher Michael Oyedokun and her two children. The delegation further informed residents that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been transmitted to the President for consideration.
On the same day, Governor Seyi Makinde visited the affected communities in Ahoro‑Esinele and met with families of the victims, assuring them that both federal and state governments were working tirelessly to secure the release of their loved ones. However, his appeal for restraint was not heeded by the union, which has insisted that words are no longer enough. The Nigeria Union of Teachers has now effectively shut down basic education in Oyo State, while parents, students and the nation watch anxiously. For the families of the 46 abducted pupils and teachers, the strike is both a symbol of solidarity and a painful reminder that two weeks after their children were dragged from classrooms, the only thing that has moved is the protest of those who stayed behind.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News
🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew
📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments