Academic activities were disrupted across public schools in Oyo State on Monday as teachers complied with a directive from the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on a peaceful protest over the abduction of pupils and staff in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protest followed the reported kidnapping of 47 teachers and students from both public and private schools in Ahoro Esiele community, Oriire LGA, an incident that has continued to generate concern among stakeholders in the education sector.
In line with the union’s nationwide directive issued from Abuja, public schools across the eleven local government areas of Ibadanland were shut, with school gates locked and classrooms left empty.
Students who arrived at schools in areas such as Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage, and Odo Ona were turned back and instructed to return home as teaching and learning activities were suspended indefinitely in compliance with the protest order.
However, Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) students sitting for terminal examinations were reportedly granted limited access to school premises to avoid disruption of ongoing exams.
Speaking on the development, a teacher who pleaded anonymity described the action as a show of solidarity with the abducted pupils and staff, noting that they had remained in captivity for over two weeks.
“We cannot begin to imagine the pain, fear and trauma that the kidnapped students and their teachers have endured over the past 18 days,” the teacher said.
The teacher also called on both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts toward securing the safe and unconditional release of the victims.
“Our appeal is to both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts and take urgent action to secure their safe and unconditional release,” the source added.