Academic activities were halted across public schools in Oyo State on Monday as teachers joined a nationwide protest organized by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over the abduction of colleagues and students in Oriire Local Government Area. The demonstration followed reports that 47 teachers and students were kidnapped from schools in Ahoro Esiele community more than two weeks ago, sparking outrage across Nigeria’s education sector.
Students arriving at schools in areas such as Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage and Odo Ona were turned back, with teaching and learning suspended. Only Senior Secondary School Three students sitting for terminal examinations were allowed into classrooms, underscoring the disruption caused by the protest and the urgency of the teachers’ demands.
A teacher who spoke anonymously described the action as a show of solidarity with those still in captivity. “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, urging both federal and state authorities to act swiftly for their release.
Civil society groups and concerned residents have joined the call, pressing for stronger security measures to protect schools and prevent further attacks. Advocacy organizations stressed that the abductions highlight the vulnerability of educational institutions and the urgent need for government intervention. The protests have also drawn attention to Nigeria’s broader struggle with insecurity, particularly in rural communities where schools remain exposed to armed groups.
The Oyo protest is part of a broader national movement demanding accountability and improved safety for teachers and students. The NUT has emphasized that the abductions threaten not only the lives of those taken but also the future of education in affected communities. The union has warned that unless decisive action is taken, confidence in public schooling will continue to erode, with long-term consequences for literacy and development.
International observers have noted the growing frequency of school-related kidnappings in Nigeria, warning that such incidents undermine confidence in public education and pose long-term risks to social stability. Rights groups have urged Abuja to prioritize school security as part of its national agenda, stressing that the safety of classrooms is essential to Nigeria’s social and economic future.
