Oyo schools shut as teachers strike over kidnapped colleagues, pupils

Fear and frustration swept through Oyo State’s public education sector on Monday as teachers abandoned classrooms and schools fell silent over the prolonged captivity of abducted colleagues and pupils.

Public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were thrown into disruption on Monday as teachers commenced an indefinite strike to protest the continued captivity of teachers and pupils kidnapped more than two weeks ago in Oriire Local Government Area. The industrial action, directed by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), forced the closure of classrooms, disrupted learning activities, and cast uncertainty over the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), as educators demanded urgent action to secure the release of the victims.

The strike followed a directive issued by the NUT on Sunday, ordering all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, until further notice. The union said the decision became necessary because of the uncertainty surrounding the rescue of teachers and pupils abducted on May 15 from Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.

At Community High School, Ogungbade, Ibadan, classrooms remained locked while teachers stayed away from work in compliance with the union’s directive. Students who arrived for lessons were seen leaving the school premises after discovering that academic activities had been suspended.

The strike also affected the conduct of the ongoing WASSCE, with some examination supervisors waiting for clarification on how scheduled papers would proceed amid the absence of teachers. The situation raised concerns among students and parents about possible disruptions to examination activities if the industrial action persists.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Olukayode Salami, the NUT expressed concern over the continued detention of the abducted victims and the lack of certainty regarding their release. The union said the prolonged captivity of the teachers and pupils had created fear, anxiety and insecurity among its members across the state.

According to the union, many teachers now feel vulnerable in their workplaces, while growing security concerns have discouraged some parents from sending their children to school. It warned that normal teaching and learning could not continue while educators remained exposed to the threat of abduction.

The NUT maintained that the strike would remain in force until there was meaningful progress in securing the safe release of the victims. It called on the government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and restore confidence in the safety of schools.

The development has renewed concerns about the security of schools in rural communities, with stakeholders warning that prolonged disruptions could further affect learning outcomes and academic calendars across the state.

As of Monday, there was no official update on the whereabouts of the abducted teachers and pupils, while public schools across Oyo State remained largely deserted as the strike took effect.