Tension gripped Oyo State on Monday as teachers, students, civil society groups and concerned residents intensified calls for the rescue of dozens of abducted teachers and schoolchildren, staging peaceful protests that brought academic activities to a standstill across many public schools in the state.
The demonstration followed the continued captivity of teachers and students who were kidnapped during a deadly attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area more than two weeks ago. The incident, which has generated widespread outrage across Nigeria, involved armed men storming several educational institutions and abducting scores of pupils, students and teachers, leaving families devastated and communities living in fear.
As part of efforts to pressure authorities into taking urgent action, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) directed public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely. The directive was widely obeyed on Monday as schools across major parts of Ibadan and other areas remained shut, with locked classrooms, deserted school compounds and students returning home after discovering that lessons would not hold. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The protest reflected growing frustration among educators who say the prolonged captivity of their colleagues and students has exposed the worsening insecurity facing schools across the country. Many teachers described the situation as heartbreaking, stressing that the victims have reportedly spent more than two weeks in captivity while families continue to wait anxiously for positive news regarding their release.
Reports indicate that the abduction occurred on May 15 when gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, all located within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. During the attack, dozens of students and several teachers were taken away by the kidnappers. The incident also reportedly claimed lives, further deepening grief and anger among residents.
Across Ibadan, the impact of the teachers’ protest was immediately visible. Schools that would normally be filled with students and academic activities remained largely empty as union members complied with the directive issued by their national leadership. In some locations, only final-year secondary school students sitting for examinations were permitted to enter school premises, while others were turned back.
The protest movement has continued to attract support from various groups beyond the education sector. Civil society organisations, student bodies and community leaders have joined calls for stronger government intervention, arguing that the safety of children and teachers should be treated as a national emergency. Demonstrators carried placards demanding the immediate release of the victims and urging security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also mobilised members nationwide in solidarity with the abducted victims. Student leaders described the situation as unacceptable and warned that Nigerian students would not remain silent while innocent learners and teachers remain in captivity. According to the association, the protest is intended to draw national attention to the growing threats facing educational institutions and to compel authorities to act swiftly.
The growing concern is not limited to Oyo State alone. In neighbouring Ogun State, residents of Abeokuta also staged demonstrations demanding the release of the abducted teachers and schoolchildren. Protesters, including traders, parents, youths and religious leaders, expressed fears over the increasing insecurity affecting schools and communities. Many argued that economic activities, education and daily life cannot flourish in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Parents across affected communities have continued to voice anxiety over the safety of their children, with many questioning whether schools remain secure enough for learning. The prolonged detention of the victims has reportedly discouraged some parents from sending their children to school, while concerns over future attacks continue to grow.
The crisis has once again drawn attention to the persistent challenge of school-related kidnappings in Nigeria. Over the years, educational institutions in several parts of the country have become targets for criminal groups seeking ransom payments, forcing governments at different levels to introduce various security measures aimed at protecting schools and students. Despite those efforts, recent events in Oyo have reignited debates about whether enough is being done to safeguard learning environments.
As pressure continues to mount on both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government, protesters insist that the safe return of the abducted teachers and students must remain the immediate priority. With schools shut, academic activities disrupted and public anxiety rising daily, many Nigerians are now watching closely to see how quickly authorities can secure the release of the victims and restore confidence in the safety of the nation’s education system.
