By: Olayinka Ganiyu
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has ordered all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to begin an indefinite strike, citing the government’s failure to secure the release of educators and pupils abducted from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area.
The strike, which took effect Monday, will remain in force until the abducted teachers and students are freed. In a parallel move, the NUT directed its state chapters nationwide to hold solidarity rallies on Tuesday, calling for the unconditional release of the victims.
The directive was issued in a circular jointly signed by NUT National President Comrade Audu Titus Amba and Secretary General Dr Clinton J. Ikpitibo. The union condemned what it described as the “horrifying, inhumane and traumatic conditions” endured by the hostages since their abduction on 15 May 2026 – more than two weeks ago.
The NUT said it had repeatedly appealed to government and security agencies to act, but the victims remain in captivity. Reports filtering from their place of detention have heightened anxiety among teachers, parents and the wider public.
The union said it was particularly alarmed by accounts of killings among the captives, as well as emotional appeals purportedly made by the school principal and a teacher, who reportedly called on the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the NUT, ANCOPSS and “well-meaning Nigerians” to intervene.
The NUT said the combination of prolonged captivity and the absence of any credible sign of imminent rescue left it with no choice but to suspend classroom activities across the state.
President Bola Tinubu has since deployed a specialised rescue team to assist in the operation.
Tags: #Audu Titus Amba #Nigeria Union Of Teachers #Oyo abduction #Seyi Makinde #Nuhu Ribadu