The continued captivity of teachers and students abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has sparked widespread outrage, with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) intensifying pressure on authorities to secure their release.
NANS has mobilised students across the country for a solidarity protest in Ibadan, describing the prolonged detention of the victims as unacceptable and heartbreaking. The student body stressed that Nigerian students would no longer remain silent while innocent pupils and teachers remain in the hands of kidnappers.
The protest comes amid growing concerns over the fate of the abducted victims, who were kidnapped during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The incident involved students, pupils, and teachers, including school administrators, and has generated nationwide concern over the safety of educational institutions.
In a related development, the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed public primary and secondary school teachers across Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike, citing the continued captivity of their colleagues and students. The union stated that the action was necessary to draw urgent attention to the worsening security situation and to compel authorities to intensify rescue efforts.
The NUT noted that the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear among teachers, discouraged school attendance, and heightened tension within affected communities. The union reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and security of teachers and learners while calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the abductees.
Labour leaders and civil society groups have also joined the campaign, staging peaceful demonstrations and urging both the federal and state governments to take decisive action. Protesters carried placards demanding the rescue of the victims and improved security across schools in the state.
Stakeholders have warned that the continued abduction crisis poses a serious threat to education and public confidence in school safety. They called on security agencies to intensify operations and ensure that all abducted teachers and students are rescued without further delay.
As protests continue across Oyo State and beyond, families of the victims remain hopeful that the sustained public pressure will lead to their safe return.
