Oyo teachers resume as concern grows over abducted pupils

Public schools in Oyo State reopen today, as the Nigeria Union of Teachers announced on Wednesday the suspension of its one-month-old strike.

The NUT had directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to commence a strike, effective June 1, in protest over the failure of the government and security agencies to secure the release of teachers and pupils abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the State on May 15, 2026.

The union explained then that the strike was aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.

In suspending the strike, President of the NUT, Titus Amba, said the union’s decision followed its dialogue with the government and its consideration that many children remained at home for several weeks over the abduction incident.

Amba told our correspondent that the union had done its best by standing in solidarity with the teachers in captivity, though it called on the government at all levels to ensure the timely release of those in captivity.

Amba said, “We have done one of the most important things, which is to show solidarity with our colleagues. We have also had dialogue with the government. We decided to call off the strike because of the little ones who remain at home and can’t go to school because of the incident.”

Similarly, the Oyo State NUT said the union suspended its withdrawal of services across Oyo State public schools following renewed engagements with the state government and assurances over measures to improve security.

In a statement jointly signed by the union’s Oyo State Chairman, Hassan Fatai, and Secretary, Olukayode Salami, on Wednesday, the union announced that the suspension of the strike followed a directive from its national leadership after reviewing the prevailing security situation and considering appeals by the Oyo State Government and other key stakeholders.

The statement read, “The union directs all public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to resume official duties from Thursday, July 2, 2026, bringing an end to the industrial action that was declared in response to the kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area.”

According to the statement, “The decision was taken in the collective interest of teachers, learners and the general public after the government assured the union that sustained efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the abducted victims and strengthen security around schools and surrounding communities.”

The union referenced that the government had made several commitments aimed at “preventing future attacks, including intensified rescue efforts for the abducted teachers and learners, the establishment of a well-equipped Joint Security Task Force to patrol vulnerable schools and access routes, continuous engagement with affected families, psychosocial support and rehabilitation for rescued victims, and payment of gratuities and other entitlements to the families of deceased teachers.”

Other commitments include “strengthening the Safe School Initiative through public sensitisation and early warning systems, improving emergency response mechanisms, addressing criminal hideouts, upgrading school infrastructure, tackling illegal mining and open grazing in forest reserves, enhancing community intelligence gathering, ensuring speedy prosecution of criminal suspects, improving the welfare of security personnel, and deploying technology to bolster school security.”

The union commended its members, as well as the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, for their discipline, solidarity and compliance throughout the period of the industrial action, describing their support as instrumental in advancing the welfare and security of teachers and learners.

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While directing members to return to the classrooms, the union urged teachers to remain vigilant, obey the law and promptly report any security threats within their schools and communities to the appropriate authorities.

“The NUT reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and security of teachers,” the statement added, stressing that it would continue engaging the government until all outstanding concerns regarding the safety of teachers and students are fully addressed.

The Oyo State Government, in its reaction, commended the NUT for suspending the strike.

Recall that the state had earlier in the week appealed to the union to suspend the strike in the interest of the students.

Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the NUT’s decision saves pupils from being lured into wrong hands while roaming the streets.

Oyelade said, “The Oyo State government commends the Nigeria Union of Teachers, both at the national and state levels, for reopening schools in Oyo State.

“By calling off the month-long strike, the union has graciously saved the Oyo State Government and citizens from the double jeopardy of the kidnapping itself and having to deal with the negative social consequences of having its students engage in idle enterprises.”

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when 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 Local Government Area.

During the attack, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.

In the weeks that followed, two videos emerged showing the abducted teachers and pupils crying for mercy and pleading with the authorities to meet the kidnappers’ demands.

The incident sparked sustained public outrage and nationwide protests over the perceived inaction of both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government in securing the victims’ release.

Security agencies have repeatedly assured the public that efforts, including the deployment of personnel and equipment, are ongoing to rescue those abducted.

However, uncertainty continues to surround the fate of the remaining teachers and pupils, despite repeated assurances by Governor Seyi Makinde that they are still being held captive in the Old Oyo National Park.