The kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State has triggered a major crisis in the education sector, as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) commenced an indefinite strike across public primary and secondary schools in the state on Monday.
The industrial action came as the Federal Government intensified efforts to tackle insecurity in forests and rural communities by deploying about 1,000 forest guards to strengthen surveillance and security operations in vulnerable areas.
The strike follows the abduction of teachers and pupils on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. More than two weeks after the incident, the victims remain in captivity, despite repeated appeals by families, community leaders, the NUT and other stakeholders for their rescue.
The NUT said it could no longer allow teachers to continue working under what it described as unsafe conditions while colleagues and learners remained in the hands of kidnappers.
In a circular jointly signed by the National President of the union, Audu Amba, and the Secretary-General, Dr Clinton Ikpitibo, the NUT directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely beginning from June 1, 2026.
The union said the decision was taken after several efforts to secure the release of the victims failed to produce results.
According to the union, reports emerging from captivity indicate that the abducted teachers and students are facing severe hardship and traumatic conditions. It said it was particularly disturbed by reports suggesting that some captives had been killed and by emotional video messages reportedly released by a school principal and a teacher while in captivity.
The NUT described the situation as heartbreaking and unacceptable, stressing that the prolonged detention of teachers and schoolchildren had created widespread fear across the education sector.
“The National Leadership has directed all Primary and Secondary School teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted teachers and students are safely released,” the union stated.
The union noted that it had earlier warned authorities about increasing attacks on schools and the dangers facing teachers and learners, especially in rural communities.
It recalled a previous statement titled, “Stop the Attacks on Schools, Teachers and Learners Now – Not Until We Perish,” in which it warned that failure to secure the release of abducted members could lead to the withdrawal of services.
According to the union, those warnings were not adequately addressed, leaving teachers exposed to growing security threats.
Beyond the strike in Oyo State, the NUT has also announced nationwide solidarity rallies aimed at drawing attention to the worsening insecurity affecting schools across the country.
The union directed all its state chapters to organise peaceful rallies on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The demonstrations are expected to terminate at Government Houses in various states, where union leaders will address journalists and submit demands to authorities.
The NUT said the rallies would serve as a platform to demand the unconditional release of the abducted teachers and students in Oyo State and other victims of school-related attacks across Nigeria.
“As a mark of solidarity, the national leadership has directed all state wings of the union to embark on solidarity rallies to press home our demand for the unconditional release of the teachers and learners kidnapped in Oyo and other states of the federation,” the union stated.
It added that the demonstrations would also focus on the need for stronger protection of schools, teachers and students nationwide.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly expressed concern over the increasing number of attacks on schools in different parts of Nigeria. Over the past decade, kidnappers and armed groups have targeted educational institutions, especially in rural areas, leading to the abduction of hundreds of students and teachers.
Many schools have been forced to shut down temporarily following attacks, while parents in affected communities continue to fear for the safety of their children.
The NUT argued that unless decisive action is taken, insecurity could further weaken the country’s education system and discourage teaching and learning in vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State wing of the NUT has confirmed full compliance with the national directive.
In a separate circular signed by the State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, and dated May 31, 2026, the union formally announced the suspension of academic activities in public schools across the state.
The state chapter said the continued captivity of teachers and learners had created anxiety among education workers and affected public confidence in the safety of schools.
According to the union, many teachers are worried about their security, while parents are increasingly concerned about sending their children to school.
The union therefore urged members to remain peaceful, law-abiding and stay at home while efforts continue to secure the release of the victims.
It also expressed solidarity with the abducted teachers, students and their families, assuring them that the union would continue to pursue all lawful means to secure their freedom.
The strike is expected to disrupt academic activities across Oyo State, affecting thousands of pupils and students in public schools. Education observers fear that a prolonged shutdown could further affect learning, particularly as schools are preparing for end-of-session academic activities.
Parents and guardians have also expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the situation, calling on both the Federal and Oyo State governments to act swiftly.
The NUT renewed its appeal to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all captives.
The union stressed that the safety of teachers and learners must remain a national priority, warning that continued attacks on schools could have far-reaching consequences for education and national development.
As pressure mounts on authorities to secure the victims’ release, attention is now focused on ongoing security operations and the Federal Government’s broader strategy, including the deployment of forest guards, to curb criminal activities in forests and remote communities where kidnappers often operate.
For now, classrooms across Oyo State remain largely empty as teachers stay away from work, while families of the abducted victims continue to wait anxiously for news of their loved ones. The outcome of rescue efforts in the coming days may determine how long the strike lasts and whether normal academic activities can resume in the state.