Oyo Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Continued Detention Of ∆bducted Colleagues, Students
Oyo Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Continued Detention Of Abducted Colleagues, Students
The notice was addressed to all elected state officers, State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) members who serve as branch trustees, headteachers, principals of public primary and secondary schools, as well as teachers across public schools in the state.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely beginning from Monday, June 1, 2026, following the continued detention of abducted teachers and learners by kidnappers.
The directive, issued by the national leadership of the union and communicated to teachers across Oyo State, was contained in a statement dated May 31, 2026, and signed by the Oyo State Secretary of the union, Comrade Salami B. Olukayode.
The notice was addressed to all elected state officers, State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) members who serve as branch trustees, headteachers, principals of public primary and secondary schools, as well as teachers across public schools in the state.
According to the statement, the withdrawal of services is aimed at compelling authorities to intensify efforts toward the safe rescue and release of abducted teachers and students who remain in captivity.
Letter
The union expressed deep concern over the prolonged detention of its members and learners without any clear indication of when they would regain their freedom.
The statement read in part: “This is to officially convey to all Public Primary and Secondary School Teachers in Oyo State, the fresh directive of the National leadership of our union, NUT, instructing us to withdraw our services from schools commencing from Tomorrow, Monday 1st June, 2026 till further notice for maximum compliance.”
The union explained that the decision became necessary because of the worsening insecurity situation and the psychological impact of the abductions on teachers, students, parents and entire communities.
“Kindly note that the directive was given against the continued detention of our colleagues and learners by the abductors without any clear sign of their timeous rescue and safe release, a situation which had created fear and hopelessness in teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to schools and caused panics and tensions across all communities in the state,” the union said.
The NUT noted that beyond the victims and their families, the crisis has negatively affected educational activities, with many parents reportedly becoming reluctant to allow their children attend school due to fears over their safety.
The union further stated that the indefinite strike is intended to send a strong message to relevant authorities and security agencies regarding the urgency of securing the release of the abductees.
“While this action was taken to further call on the government to intensify strategies towards bringing the abductees back safely and without any further delay, we wish to call on our teachers to remain law-abiding and stay safe in their respective homes,” NUT said.
The teachers’ union also assured affected families that they were not alone in the struggle, emphasising that teachers across Nigeria remained united in demanding the safe return of those held captive.
“The union and entire teachers in the country stand in solidarity with the victims and their families as more lawful engagements with the government for the safe return of the abductees continue,” NUT added.
The latest directive effectively shuts down academic activities in public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State until further notice, as teachers are expected to comply fully with the industrial action ordered by the national leadership of the NUT.
On May 15, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen invaded Community High School in Ahoro-Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting the school principal and an unspecified number of students in yet another violent attack targeting schools in Nigeria.
The incident reportedly occurred between 8:00am and 9:00am, throwing the agrarian community into panic.
According to the police, the attackers stormed the school premises during school hours and forcefully whisked away the principal, identified as Mrs Rachael Alamu, alongside several teachers and students.
