Public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday as teachers joined a protest over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
According to a report by PUNCH, the action followed a directive from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which has also scheduled nationwide solidarity rallies for Tuesday in all 36 state capitals.
The pupils and teachers were kidnapped on May 15 when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA.
The abduction has sparked widespread concern, with academic activities suspended across Oyo’s 33 local government areas. Teachers, parents and residents expressed frustration over the victims’ continued captivity nearly three weeks after the incident.
In Ogbomoso, protesters marched through the streets demanding the immediate rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers. One woman, whose children were reportedly among those kidnapped, broke down in tears while appealing to authorities for urgent intervention.
Residents and activists also staged demonstrations in Ibadan under the banner of the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society organisations. Protesters carried placards calling for stronger security measures and an end to kidnapping across the state.
Similar demonstrations took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where residents demanded the release of the victims and called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts against insecurity.
Speaking during the protest, residents warned that worsening insecurity was affecting daily life, business activities and freedom of movement, while urging authorities to prioritise the protection of citizens.
The NUT said teachers across Nigeria would gather at state government secretariats for coordinated rallies demanding the unconditional release of abducted learners and education workers.
In Lagos, teachers are expected to march from Ikeja Bus Stop to Alausa Secretariat, while Oyo teachers will converge at the Nigeria Labour Congress secretariat in Ibadan.
Lagos NUT Chairman, Akintoye Hassan, explained that the union decided against shutting down schools nationwide, arguing that such a move would advance the objectives of groups seeking to disrupt education.
He stressed that prolonged closure of public schools would disproportionately affect children from low-income families and widen educational inequality.
The union also called on governments at all levels to prioritise school security and protect teachers and learners from growing threats.
Meanwhile, the North East Civil Society Network criticised what it described as unequal attention to school abductions across the country. The group questioned why the kidnapping of 42 pupils in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State had not attracted the same level of national response.
The Ogbomoso Pivotal Club Lagos also condemned the abduction, describing it as a disturbing reflection of deteriorating security in rural communities and urging authorities to secure the victims’ release without delay.
In a related development, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards for Oyo State, saying the initiative could strengthen local security if implemented swiftly.
PUNCH reported that security agencies have been deployed to monitor the protests, while teachers, parents and civil society groups continue to press for urgent action to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers.
