The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, over the continued captivity of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The directive, issued by the national leadership of the union and communicated through the Oyo State Wing, followed growing concerns over the safety of educators and learners nearly three weeks after gunmen abducted dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA on May 15. Reports indicate that at least 39 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped during the attack, while one teacher was later confirmed dead in captivity.
In a statement jointly signed on Sunday by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the NUT, Hassan A. Fatai, and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, the union said the prolonged detention of the victims had created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged school attendance, and heightened tension across affected communities.
The union noted that despite repeated appeals to government authorities and security agencies, there was still no certainty regarding the rescue and safe release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
According to the statement, the industrial action is intended to draw urgent attention to the plight of the victims and compel authorities to intensify efforts toward securing their freedom.
“The National Leadership has directed all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted teachers and students are safely released,” the union stated.
The NUT urged members across the state to comply fully with the directive, remain peaceful and law-abiding, and stay safe in their homes throughout the duration of the strike.
The development comes days after teachers staged peaceful protests in Ibadan and other parts of the state, demanding urgent government intervention and the immediate release of their colleagues and pupils still being held by kidnappers.
The union reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils and their families, stressing that it would continue to engage relevant authorities through lawful means until the victims regain their freedom.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced additional security measures in response to the abductions.
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and directed a specialised rescue unit to intensify efforts aimed at securing the release of the captives.
The NUT maintained that the welfare and security of teachers and learners remain paramount and called on government at all levels to ensure that schools are adequately protected from criminal attacks.
