Oyo teachers shut schools indefinitely as kidnapped colleagues, pupils remain in captivity

Public schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday after teachers embarked on an indefinite strike over the continued abduction of dozens of pupils and educators seized by gunmen more than two weeks ago, in what is rapidly becoming one of the most serious school security crises in southwestern Nigeria.

The action, directed by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), comes 17 days after armed men stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted teachers and students, including a school principal and a two-year-old child.

The union said it could no longer ask teachers to remain in classrooms while their colleagues remain in captivity and school attacks continue with little sign of resolution.

“We have directed all teachers in Oyo State to remain at home starting from tomorrow (Monday),” NUT National President Audu Amba told The Punch on Sunday.

The strike affects public primary and secondary schools across the state and will continue until all abducted teachers and learners are released, according to a circular jointly signed by Amba and the union’s Secretary-General, Clinton Ikpitibo.

The kidnappings occurred on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA.

Among those abducted were 39 students and seven teachers, including Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School. At least two teachers have been killed since the attack.

The union described the conditions of the victims as “horrifying, inhumane and nightmarish,” accusing authorities of failing to secure their release despite repeated appeals.

The strike marks a dramatic escalation in pressure on both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government, as growing insecurity increasingly threatens access to education in parts of the country.

In videos that emerged after the abduction, some of the captives made emotional appeals to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde and Nigerians to help secure their release, describing harsh conditions in captivity.

The NUT said it had earlier warned that teachers could withdraw their services if government failed to guarantee the safety of schools and secure the release of abducted colleagues.

Beyond Oyo, the union has ordered nationwide solidarity rallies on Tuesday, with teachers expected to march in state capitals and deliver demands to government houses across the country.

The demonstrations, the union said, are intended to draw attention to what it sees as a worsening threat to teachers and learners nationwide.

The Oyo State chapter of the NUT said the prolonged captivity of teachers and pupils had created “fear, anxiety and disruption within the education sector” and was eroding public confidence in the safety of schools.

Tinubu deploys forest guards

The strike announcement came just hours after President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and dispatched some of the country’s top security officials to the affected communities.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the delegation included Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu.

Addressing residents, Gbajabiamila said the President was personally disturbed by the abductions.

“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely,” he said.

He added that rescue efforts would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated to avoid endangering the captives.

The attacks have renewed concerns about the vulnerability of schools outside Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northeast, where school abductions first gained global attention more than a decade ago.

Community leaders in Oriire have linked the recurring attacks to vast forest areas that provide cover for criminal groups.

“The kidnappers are taking advantage of the vast forest reserve in the area to perpetrate evil. We need a military base in Oriire,” the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, said.

For many teachers and parents, however, the immediate concern is not policy announcements but the fate of those still being held.

Until they return home, classrooms across Oyo State will remain empty.

Source: Reporting by The Punch, adapted by Pluboard.