Teachers across Oyo State have commenced an indefinite strike in protest against the continued captivity of educators and students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The action, announced by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), requires all teachers in public primary and secondary schools across the state to stay away from their duties beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, pending the safe release of the victims.
The union’s national leadership said the decision became necessary following growing concerns over the fate of the abducted teachers and students, who were taken away by gunmen on May 15, 2026, and have yet to regain their freedom.
According to the NUT, several efforts and appeals made to relevant authorities and security agencies have not produced the expected outcome, leading the union to suspend academic activities indefinitely.
As part of measures to further draw public attention to the situation, the union directed its state chapters nationwide to organise solidarity rallies on June 2, 2026, calling for improved security in schools and urgent action to rescue those still in captivity.
The NUT noted that fears have deepened amid reports suggesting that some of the victims may have lost their lives, while videos released from captivity continue to show abductees pleading for assistance and intervention.
Union leaders emphasized that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and condemned attacks on teachers and students.
They urged the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, and security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at securing the immediate release of all those affected.
The union maintained that meaningful teaching and learning cannot take place under an atmosphere of fear, insisting that its industrial action will continue until every abducted teacher and student is safely reunited with their families.
