Teachers in Oyo State will stop work from June 1 to protest the abduction of their colleagues and students in Oriire Local Government Area. The Nigeria Union of Teachers made the announcement after security incidents left staff and pupils missing in the council area.
The union said the indefinite withdrawal of services would continue until the abducted teachers and students are freed. The decision came after repeated cases of kidnapping affected schools in Oriire, one of the state's largest local government areas.
Teachers have faced mounting insecurity in parts of Oyo State in recent months. Bandits and armed groups have targeted educational institutions, forcing some schools to close temporarily and leaving communities fearful of further attacks. The abductions in Oriire represent a serious escalation that union leaders said they can no longer ignore.
The union's action reflects the frustration of educators who say the government has not done enough to protect them and their students. Without security guarantees, teachers argued, they cannot safely report to work or teach children. The strike order signals that the union is prepared to use industrial action as pressure on authorities to act.
Oyo State government officials have not yet responded publicly to the union's threat. The state has faced multiple security challenges in recent years, including kidnappings and armed robbery on major roads. Schools, once seen as safe spaces, have increasingly become targets for criminals operating in the state.
The June 1 deadline gives authorities a window to intervene and secure the release of the abducted teachers and students. If they fail to act, the withdrawal of services will affect thousands of pupils across Oyo State who depend on public schools for their education. Parents and school administrators are watching closely to see how the government handles both the security crisis and the union's ultimatum.
