Abduction fear: Oyo NUT insists schools will remain shut until security improves

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has declared that public schools in the state will not reopen until the government implements adequate security measures to guarantee the safety of teachers and students.

 

The union had earlier directed teachers to embark on an indefinite strike following the abduction of more than 40 students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.

 

Speaking on Tuesday, the NUT Secretary, Olukayode Salami, said the decision was informed by growing insecurity, including the killing of two teachers and the continued captivity of abducted victims.

 

According to him, the attacks have created fear, panic and psychological distress among teachers, students and parents, with some families reportedly withdrawing their children from schools.

 

“As much as we have casualties among learners in terms of abduction, we have higher casualties among teachers because two of them were killed,” Salami said.

 

He explained that the union’s conditions for resuming academic activities include the safe rescue of all abducted victims and the implementation of effective measures to prevent future attacks on schools.

 

The NUT leader stressed that schools must remain safe environments for learning and should never become targets of criminal activities.

 

Salami urged the government to increase security patrols across vulnerable communities and establish joint security teams involving conventional security agencies, hunters and vigilante groups.

 

He also called for dedicated security formations in local government areas bordering forests and other high-risk locations.

 

“Once confidence and peace of mind are restored, people will be able to go about their normal activities, including teaching and learning,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media that the abducted students and teachers were flown to Kaduna State in a helicopter.

 

In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade described the claim as misleading, unverified and lacking any factual basis.

 

The command said ongoing rescue operations had been intensified in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, assuring residents that efforts were underway to secure the victims’ release and arrest those responsible for the abductions.

 

The police also warned against the spread of false information capable of undermining public confidence and disrupting security operations.

 

As part of efforts to address insecurity, Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin met with the state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, in Ibadan on Tuesday.

 

The meeting focused on security challenges across the state, particularly in Oriire Local Government Area and parts of the Oke-Ogun zone.

 

Ogundoyin called for stronger security presence in border communities, improved intelligence gathering and enhanced patrol operations to curb kidnappings and other criminal activities.

 

The Assembly Speaker reaffirmed the legislature’s support for measures aimed at improving security and protecting lives and property across Oyo State.