By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Public schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday, as teachers, students, and civil groups staged statewide protests over the kidnapping of 39 pupils and 7 teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The crisis began on May 15 when gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School Yawota, Community Grammar School Esiele, and L.A. Primary School Esiele in Ahoro-Esiele community. Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed 39 students and 7 teachers were abducted, including principal Mrs. Rachael Alamu. One teacher was later killed in captivity, Mr. Michael Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded, and two others were killed during the attack.
After 18 days with little update on rescue efforts, the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers to withdraw services indefinitely from June 1 until the abducted colleagues and pupils are released. School gates across Ibadanland, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Iseyin, and Saki remained locked. Only SS3 students writing WASSCE were allowed in. A teacher described the mood as “grief mixed with fear” and appealed to both federal and state governments for urgent action.
Protests spread through Ibadan. At Mokola Roundabout, the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB) marched to the Government Secretariat at Agodi in heavy rain, carrying placards that read “Security for all, not for a few” and “End kidnapping in Oyo State now”. NANS President Akinteye Babatunde led a solidarity rally, calling the situation “heartbreaking, disturbing and unacceptable”. The Oyo State Teachers Action Group and Nigeria Teachers Congress also staged protests, with NTC President Rev. Bunmi Thomas demanding security personnel in schools statewide. Residents of Abeokuta, Ogun State, held parallel protests.
The Oyo State Government said security agencies were pursuing rescue operations with federal support. On June 1, President Bola Tinubu reportedly deployed 1,000 security personnel to Oriire LGA. Protesters now demand immediate release of the 46 captives, armed security in rural schools, investigation into the attacks, and a long-term school safety policy. NUT has announced nationwide solidarity rallies for Tuesday, June 2.
