Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Socialist Labour movement has issued a firm directive to the Oyo State Government, insisting that schools must not be reopened until all pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area are safely rescued and adequate security measures are firmly in place. The group, in a statement signed by its Oyo State Coordinator, Comrade Ogundele Ayo, also known as Ay Struggle, accused both the state and federal governments of complacency and demanded urgent action to secure the release of the victims.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area — Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele — kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers, and killing at least one teacher. The incident forced schools in the area to shut down and prompted an indefinite strike by teachers across the state. More than six weeks later, the victims remain in captivity, with no clear timeline for their rescue.
In a statement released on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and widely reported on Sunday, June 28, the Socialist Labour movement condemned what it described as the "silence, delay, and apparent lack of urgency" surrounding the rescue efforts. "Socialist Labour strongly condemns the continued failure of the Oyo State Government and the Federal Government to secure the freedom of teachers and students who were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State," the statement read. "The silence, delay, and apparent lack of urgency surrounding their rescue raise serious concerns about the commitment of the authorities to protecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians."
The group drew parallels with previous mass abductions, including the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls, warning that government inaction only emboldens criminal groups. "The painful experiences of previous mass abductions, including the Chibok girls and many others, have shown that government complacency only emboldens criminal elements and deepens the suffering of victims and their families," the organisation said. Socialist Labour also opposed any plan to reopen schools before the abducted victims are rescued and adequate security measures are put in place. "Such a move would amount to a reckless disregard for the sacredness of human life, which would continue to expose students, teachers, and communities to further danger," it warned.
The group further called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and all mass organisations to mobilise peaceful mass action for security accountability. "We urge Nigerians, youth organizations, civil society groups, community associations, professional bodies and all other democratic forces to sustain public pressure and mass agitation until every abductee is rescued and concrete measures are put in place to protect lives," the statement added. "An injury to one is an injury to all."
The Oyo State Government had previously appealed to the NUT to suspend its ongoing strike and allow students to return to classrooms, warning that the prolonged shutdown was creating severe social and economic consequences for thousands of families. Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged the legitimacy of the teachers' concerns but appealed for a broader perspective. The NUT has remained firm, insisting that schools will stay shut until the government implements concrete security measures to guarantee the safety of educators and learners.
The Socialist Labour movement's demand comes amid growing public frustration over the government's handling of the crisis. The abduction, which involved coordinated attacks on three schools, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures in educational institutions across the country. As of Monday, June 29, 2026, the victims remain in captivity, and security forces have intensified search-and-rescue operations around the Old Oyo National Park, where the abductors are believed to be hiding. The state government has imposed and later lifted a curfew on 10 local government areas bordering the park, but the fate of the abducted victims remains uncertain.
For the families of the 46 abducted victims, the Socialist Labour's call offers a voice of solidarity in their anguish. As the group put it, "The lives of ordinary people matter. We reject government indifference. We demand action now."
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