The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has announced an indefinite strike in Oyo state, demanding the immediate rescue of teachers and schoolchildren abducted in Oriire LGA by suspected bandits on May 15.
In a circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by Audu Amba, NUT president, and Clinton Ikpitibo, secretary general, the union also instructed all its state chapters to stage solidarity rallies nationwide on Tuesday.
Background
About 39 students and seven teachers were reportedly kidnapped from three schools along the Oriire axis of Ogbomoso on May 15 by suspected bandits.
The attackers also killed an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist during the raid.
On the following Monday, Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers, was beheaded by the gunmen, triggering widespread outrage across the country.
In two separate videos posted on Instagram on Friday, Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esinehe, who is also among the abducted victims, said the kidnappers were close to killing another captive, calling for urgent government intervention through negotiation.
‘All teachers in primary and secondary school in oyo should withdraw their services’
The union directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo state to suspend their duties from Monday.
“In view of the continued detention of our colleagues and learners in the den of their abductors, without any clear sign of their timeous rescue and safe releasee, the national leadership has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State are to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released,” the statement reads.
“However, as a mark of solidarity, the National Leadership has also directed all State Wings of the Union to embark on solidarity rallies (protests) on Tuesday, 2nd June, 2026 to press home our demand for the unconditional release of the teachers and learners kidnapped in Oyo and other States of the Federation.
“The rallies are to terminate at Government Houses where the Leaderships of the State Wings are expected to address the press on the need for government at all levels to provide safe and secured school environments for our teachers and learners.
“The Union stands in solidarity with the victims and their families and remains committed to pursuing every lawful means to ensure their safe return.”
In a statement on Sunday signed by Salami Olukayode, secretary of the Oyo state wing of the NUT, the union confirmed full compliance with the directive.
The Oyo NUT said the continued detention of the victims has “created fear, anxiety, and disruption within the education sector, while also eroding public confidence in school safety.”
The union expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for urgent action to improve security in schools.
It urged members to remain at home, comply with the directive, and stay safe while discussions continue with authorities for the victims’ release.
On Saturday, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, visited affected communities and families of the victims, while Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, and Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), led a federal delegation to Ogbomoso on Sunday.
President Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of a “specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities” to secure the release of the abducted victims.