Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, has confirmed that the ongoing 2026 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations were the primary reason for the delay in declaring an indefinite strike over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso. The union’s state secretary, Olukayode Salami, disclosed that while the national body had authorised the industrial action, the Oyo chapter initially held back out of consideration for the thousands of students currently sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which began on April 21 and is scheduled to end on June 19. “It is the same consideration for the ongoing WAEC exams that has delayed our response till this time,” Salami told TheCable on Monday, June 1, 2026. “But there is a limit to human endurance, and since we couldn’t continue like that, we had to take action starting today.” The strike, which began on Monday, June 1, has seen full compliance across public primary and secondary schools in the state, with classrooms locked and academic activities halted. However, candidates sitting for the WASSCE and teachers assigned to invigilation duties were allowed access to school premises to ensure the international examination was not disrupted.
The abduction that sparked the industrial action occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, when about 12 armed men on motorcycles, dressed in military camouflage, simultaneously attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area: Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Ahoro‑Esinele, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. The assailants shot sporadically, killing an assistant headmaster and a commercial motorcyclist, before forcing an estimated 39 pupils and seven teachers into the bush. A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded in a viral video that sparked national outrage. Among the abducted teachers was the principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, who appeared in a subsequent video from captivity, pleading with the government to negotiate for their release and revealing that the captives were being left exposed to the elements. Community leaders placed the number of abducted pupils at 39, with the youngest victim being a two‑year‑old toddler, Christianah Akanbi.
The NUT’s decision to proceed with the strike followed mounting public criticism over the union’s perceived inactivity. In a circular dated May 29, 2026, signed by National President Audu Amba and Secretary General Clinton Ikpitibo, the union directed all state wings to hold solidarity rallies across the country on Tuesday, June 2. The Oyo State chapter, in a statement signed by Salami, expressed deep concern over the uncertainty surrounding the rescue and safe release of the victims. According to the union, the prolonged detention of the abducted teachers and pupils has created fear and anxiety among members and discouraged parents from sending their children to school. “We are all complying in solidarity with the affected teachers, pupils and their families,” a teacher, Mrs. Yemisi Alao, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “We pray that the abducted victims will regain their freedom and return home safely.”
On Monday, June 1, a NAN correspondent who monitored the strike in Ibadan reported full compliance. Schools visited included Anglican Junior Secondary School in Orita‑Mefa, St. Patrick Secondary School in Bashorun, St. Louis Grammar School in Mokola, Oba Akinbiyi Model School, and St. Brigid’s School in Mokola. Students who arrived as early as 7:45 a.m. were turned back and asked to return home. Reports from other parts of the state, including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa and Igboora, also indicated widespread compliance. Only WAEC candidates and teachers involved in examination invigilation were permitted entry. The 2026 WASSCE, which is expected to conclude on June 19, will see General Mathematics written on Wednesday, June 3, and English Language on June 10.
The federal and state governments have scrambled to respond to the crisis. On Sunday, May 31, a high‑level delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector‑General of Police Tunji Disu, and Defence Minister Christopher Musa visited the affected communities. President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and the deployment of a “specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities” to secure the release of the victims. Governor Seyi Makinde also visited the families of the victims on Saturday, May 30, appealing for patience and unity. As of Monday, June 1, however, the 46 victims remained in captivity, and the indefinite strike continued across Oyo State’s public schools.
The teachers’ decision to exempt WAEC candidates from the strike reflects a delicate balancing act between solidarity with their abducted colleagues and the need to protect the educational futures of thousands of students. “The teachers that have roles to play in the exams are the same ones affected by the abduction,” Salami noted. “We don’t expect the mass action to affect the exams since it’s international. So, school management should find ways to handle the situation.” The union has made it clear that the strike will continue until the abducted teachers and pupils are safely released.
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