The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed public school teachers in Oyo State to begin an indefinite strike over the abduction of their colleagues and students in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, May 31, 2026, by the Oyo State Wing of the NUT and signed by its State Secretary, Comrade Salami B. Olukayode, acting on instructions from the union’s national leadership.
The industrial action follows the kidnapping and continued captivity of teachers and pupils abducted on May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack on schools near Ogbomoso.
The Oyo State wing of the NUT directed all public primary and secondary school teachers, headteachers, and principals to withdraw their services from classrooms with immediate effect until further notice.
The NUT directive urged teachers to remain law-abiding and stay safe at home while engagements continue with relevant authorities to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils. The union also reaffirmed its support for the affected families and said the strike is intended to increase pressure on government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.
On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinele/Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA near Ogbomoso, abducting pupils and teachers.
The incident has been described as one of the most severe school abductions in the state, prompting renewed calls for improved rural school security.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deployed top security chiefs to Oyo State and approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards following the incident.
The President also directed a specialised security unit to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted pupils and teachers, as federal operations continue in the affected areas.
