NUT Declares Indefinite Strike in Oyo Over Abducted Teachers, Pupils

NUT Declares Indefinite Strike in Oyo Over Abducted Teachers, Pupils

IBADAN – The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to commence an indefinite strike from Monday, June 1, 2026, over the continued abduction of teachers and pupils in the state.

The directive, issued by the union’s national leadership and conveyed through the Oyo State Wing, is intended to press home demands for urgent government action to secure the safe release of the victims, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than two weeks after they were taken captive.

In a statement signed by the NUT Oyo State Wing Chairman, Hassan Fatai, and Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union said the prolonged captivity of the abductees has created fear and anxiety among teachers and disrupted confidence in the school system. According to the union, the situation has also discouraged parents from sending their children to school and heightened tension within affected communities.

The NUT stated that the strike is aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the need for intensified efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted teachers and pupils. It urged teachers across the state to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and ensure their safety while staying away from classrooms throughout the period of the industrial action. The union also expressed solidarity with the abducted victims and their families, stressing that it would continue engagements with relevant authorities until the affected individuals are safely rescued. It reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and security of teachers and learners nationwide, noting that the protection of school communities remains a top priority.

In a circular jointly signed by the National President of the union, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, and the Secretary General, Dr. Clinton J. Ikpitibo, the NUT confirmed the strike directive and ordered all its state wings across the country to organise nationwide solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, to demand the unconditional release of the abducted teachers and learners. According to the directive, participants in the rallies are expected to converge at various Government Houses across the federation, where state leaders of the union will address the media on the need to guarantee safer learning environments for teachers and students. The union’s national leadership described the rallies as part of broader efforts to demand safe and secure learning environments across Nigeria.

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Speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, Amba confirmed the directive, saying teachers had been instructed to stay at home until further notice. “We have directed all teachers in Oyo State to remain at home starting from tomorrow (Monday),” the NUT National President told The PUNCH. The national circular, dated May 29, 2026, directed all “public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released.”

The NUT expressed deep concern over what it described as the “horrifying, inhumane and traumatic conditions” being endured by the abducted teachers and students since their abduction on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The union lamented that despite previous appeals to government and security agencies to secure the release of the victims, they remained in captivity, while reports emerging from the kidnappers’ den continued to generate anxiety among teachers, parents and members of the public. According to the union, the prolonged captivity of the teachers and learners, coupled with the absence of any clear indication of their imminent rescue, informed its decision to direct teachers in Oyo State to suspend academic activities until the victims regain their freedom. The union recalled its earlier statement titled “Stop the Attacks on Schools, Teachers and Learners Now – Not Until We Perish,” noting that it had previously warned of possible industrial action should urgent measures fail to secure the release of the victims.

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools simultaneously in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, Oyo State. The targeted schools included Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. The attackers, numbering about 12, came on motorcycles and struck at about 9:30 a.m., abducting a total of 39 students and seven teachers. Among those abducted is a two-year-old pupil of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Christianah Akanbi.

During the attack, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded. A motorcyclist was also killed after resisting having his motorcycle snatched, and a security operative died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts. The car of the Principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, was forcefully used to convey some people before being abandoned and set ablaze. The union expressed particular concern over reports of killings among the captives, as well as emotional video appeals allegedly made by the abducted school principal (Mrs. Rachael Alamu) and a nursing mother from inside their captors’ den, calling on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, the NUT, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure their release.

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The Oyo State wing of the NUT has confirmed full compliance with the directive. In a circular dated May 31, 2026, signed by State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union formally announced the withdrawal of services by teachers in public schools across the state. The state wing urged members to remain law-abiding and stay safe at home while engagements continue with relevant authorities for the safe return of the abductees. It also reaffirmed solidarity with victims and their families, calling for urgent and decisive action to address insecurity in schools. The union reiterated its commitment to the welfare and security of teachers and learners nationwide, noting that the protection of school communities remains a top priority. It assured members that it would continue lawful engagements with relevant government authorities until the victims regain their freedom.

The strike announcement came on the same day a high-powered Federal Government delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited the affected communities to convey President Bola Tinubu’s concern over the incident. During the visit, the President approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State in partnership with the Oyo State Government and directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free the abducted pupils and teachers. The delegation also informed community leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be transmitted to the President for consideration and approval.

Members of the delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.) ; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare. Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said Tinubu’s decision to dispatch top security officials to the affected communities reflected the administration’s determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release. Responding to appeals from parents and community leaders urging caution in the rescue mission, he said security agencies would rely on intelligence-driven strategies to safeguard the lives of the victims.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, visited the affected communities on Saturday and assured families of the victims that efforts were ongoing to secure their release. “Please believe in me. I have not been sleeping well myself. Together with the service commanders, we meet twice every day, once in the morning and once at night, sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.,” the governor said. The governor has also appealed to residents, families and concerned citizens to pray for the safe release of the abducted victims, warning that protests could embolden their captors and undermine ongoing rescue efforts.

As of the time of reporting, rescue operations were ongoing, with security agencies working to secure the safe return of all abducted victims.