A report from PREMIUM TIMES has it that Public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State have commenced an indefinite strike following the continued captivity of teachers and pupils abducted during an attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The industrial action, which took effect on Monday, was directed by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as part of efforts to draw attention to the plight of the abducted victims and pressure authorities to intensify rescue efforts.
In a circular issued by the Oyo State chapter of the union and signed by its Secretary, Salami Olukayode, teachers were instructed to withdraw their services indefinitely pending further directives from the union’s leadership.
The directive followed an order from the national leadership of the NUT, which expressed deep concern over the prolonged detention of the abducted teachers and pupils by their captors.
According to the union, the continued captivity of the victims has created fear and uncertainty among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened anxiety within affected communities.
“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,” the statement said.
Teachers across the state were urged to remain peaceful, law-abiding and stay at home while discussions with relevant authorities continue.
The strike comes amid growing public concern over worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State. Members of the Take-It-Back Movement also staged a protest in Ibadan on Monday, calling on government at all levels to take urgent action to address rising cases of kidnapping and violent attacks.
The abduction occurred about two weeks ago when armed gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele, all within Oriire Local Government Area, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed the killing of one of the abducted teachers, identified as Mr. Adesiyan, an assistant headmaster, after a video of the incident surfaced online.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killing and assured Nigerians that both federal and state authorities were working to secure the safe release of the remaining victims. The Presidency also announced the deployment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security operations in the state.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the persistent threat of school abductions across Nigeria. Since the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, several educational institutions across the country have suffered similar attacks, with hundreds of students and school personnel kidnapped by insurgents and armed criminal groups.