The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has declared an indefinite strike across public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State following the continued captivity of dozens of students and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area.
The industrial action, which takes effect from Monday, June 1, 2026, was announced by the national leadership of the union as pressure mounts on authorities to secure the release of the victims more than two weeks after the attack.
The decision was contained in a circular dated May 29 and signed by NUT President Audu Amba and Secretary General Clinton Ikpitibo. In addition to the strike, the union directed its state chapters nationwide to stage solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, in support of the abducted teachers and students and to demand stronger security measures for schools.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when suspected bandits attacked three schools in the Oriire axis of Ogbomoso, kidnapping 39 students and seven teachers. The attack left at least two people dead, including an assistant headmaster and a commercial motorcyclist.
Public concern intensified days later after one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the abductors. The killing sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for urgent intervention by security agencies and government officials.
The situation gained further attention on Friday when two videos surfaced online showing Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esinehe, who is among those being held captive. In the recordings, Alamu appealed to the government to take immediate steps to secure the release of the victims, warning that the kidnappers were preparing to kill another captive.
The NUT said the prolonged detention of both teachers and students had become unacceptable and justified the withdrawal of services by educators across Oyo State.
According to the union, the strike will remain in force until all abducted teachers and learners regain their freedom.
The circular stated that the national leadership had directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to stop work indefinitely due to the absence of any clear indication that the victims would be rescued and released soon.
The union also instructed its state chapters to organise peaceful solidarity rallies across the country. The demonstrations are expected to end at various government houses, where union leaders will address the media and call on governments at all levels to prioritise the safety of teachers and students.
NUT said the rallies would serve as a platform to demand the unconditional release of the abducted victims and to highlight broader concerns about insecurity within the nation's education sector.
The union reaffirmed its support for the affected families and pledged to continue pursuing lawful measures aimed at securing the safe return of all those still in captivity.
The Oyo State chapter of the NUT subsequently endorsed the national directive and confirmed that teachers in the state would comply fully with the strike action.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Salami Olukayode, secretary of the Oyo State NUT, described the continued captivity of the victims as a source of fear and uncertainty within schools and communities.
He said the incident had disrupted educational activities and weakened public confidence in the safety of schools. The state chapter also expressed condolences to the families of those affected and urged authorities to take decisive steps to address security challenges facing educational institutions.
The union advised its members to remain peaceful, law-abiding and stay at home while engagements with government and security agencies continue.
The abductions have drawn attention from both state and federal authorities in recent days.
On Saturday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited families of the abducted victims in the affected communities. The visit was aimed at reassuring residents of ongoing efforts to secure the release of those still being held.
A day later, a federal government delegation led by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, and National Security Advisor and Nuhu Ribadu, arrived in Ogbomoso to assess the situation and engage stakeholders.
The delegation's visit underscored growing concern within the federal government over the worsening security situation and its impact on education in the region.
President Bola Tinubu has also directed the deployment of a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to support efforts aimed at freeing the abducted students and teachers.
The incident has renewed debate about the safety of schools across Nigeria, particularly in areas vulnerable to attacks by criminal groups. Over the years, kidnappings targeting schools have raised concerns among parents, educators and civil society groups, many of whom have called for stronger security infrastructure and faster emergency response systems.
For now, classrooms across Oyo State's public schools are expected to remain shut as teachers comply with the NUT directive. The union has made it clear that normal academic activities will not resume until the abducted teachers and students are safely released.
As rescue efforts continue, attention remains focused on the fate of the victims and the government's ability to respond effectively to one of the most significant school-related security incidents recorded in the state in recent years.
