Nick Udenta
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has threatened to embark on nationwide strike action over school abductions.
As precursor to that, public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday as teachers complied with a directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers to begin a nationwide protest over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The protest coincided with demonstrations in Oyo and Ogun states, where residents, civil society groups and labour activists demanded the immediate release of the abductees.
On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked three schools-Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, taking pupils and teachers captive.
The abduction had since generated outcries across the country, as academic activities were suspended in public schools across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State following the NUT directive.
Students in Moniya, Ojoo and Otun Agba-Agbakin in Akinyele Local Government; Agbowo, Bodija and Sango in Ibadan North Local Government; Beere, Oja’ba and Molete in Ibadan South East Local Government; Orita Challenge and New Garage in Ibadan South West, as well as Odo-Ona and Alao-Akala Way in the Oluyole Local Government Area, who had prepared for school were asked to remain at home after news of the strike filtered through on Monday morning.
Also, there was total compliance in Ogbomoso and Ibarapa axis of the state. In Ogbomoso, some protesters took to the streets to demand the immediate rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
A visibly distraught woman, wearing a pink hijab, broke down in tears as she pleaded for the release of the victims, lamenting that her children were among those kidnapped.
The woman said, “Please, have mercy on me. The children have a bright future. Government, please help us and intervene in this matter. I have cried and cried.
“Where will I start from? The children are my tomorrow. They are my hope. Please, help me. May you also not weep over your children.”
Also, another protester, Ajibola Aboderin said, “We are here to express our grievances, but in a peaceful manner. We feel the pain of the abducted teachers, students and their families, almost 18 days after the incident.
Also, in neighbouring Ogun State, residents of Abeokuta also took to the streets to protest the abduction and worsening insecurity across the country.
The protesters carried placards bearing messages including ‘Bring Back Our School Children,’ ‘Stop Kidnapping, Banditry,’ and ‘End Terrorism in Nigeria.’
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Juwon Owolabi, said residents now lived in fear due to rising insecurity.
He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
“This is a time when the parents and everyone are grieving. We cannot continue like this. We sleep with anxiety and panic, and we trust that the government has the capacity and what it takes to end this insecurity now.
Teachers begin rallies
Teachers across the federation are expected to converge on state government secretariats on Tuesday in a nationwide protest demanding the unconditional release of teachers and learners abducted in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
The simultaneous rallies, scheduled to hold in all 36 state capitals, are being organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in response to the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schools and education workers.
The action follows a directive from the national leadership of the NUT contained in a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by the union’s president, Audu Amba, and secretary, Clinton Ikpitibo.
The circular mandated all state chapters to stage solidarity rallies to draw attention to the worsening insecurity affecting schools.
In Lagos, teachers are expected to assemble at Ikeja Bus Stop before marching to Alausa Secretariat, while their counterparts in Oyo State will converge on the state secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ibadan.
Mobilisation gathered momentum on Monday as placards, banners and flyers arrived at NUT secretariats across the country.
