Oyo Teachers Ordered to Strike Over Abductions

Public primary and secondary school teachers in Nigeria's Oyo State have been directed by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to cease work indefinitely starting Monday, June 1. This industrial action is a direct response to the persistent abductions of educators and students within the Oriire Local Government Area.

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We have directed all Teachers in Oyo state to remain at home starting from tomorrow (Monday).

The directive follows a disturbing incident on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked multiple schools, Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School, and L.A Primary School (Esiele), in Oriire. The attacks resulted in the kidnapping of 39 students and seven teachers, including Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esinele. Tragically, two teachers were killed during the assaults.

This withdrawal of services in Oyo State is part of a broader, nationwide campaign by the NUT. The union has scheduled solidarity rallies across all state capitals for Tuesday, June 2, 2026. These rallies aim to pressure the government for urgent intervention and to secure the safe return of all abducted school personnel and learners.

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We have directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released.

Audu Amba, President of the NUT, confirmed the directive, stating that teachers in Oyo State are instructed to remain home from Monday. A national circular issued on May 29, 2026, conveyed this indefinite withdrawal of services until the safe release of all abductees. The circular also mandated state wings of the NUT to mobilize for the nationwide rallies, which are intended to culminate at government houses where union leaders will address the press.

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We have directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released.

The NUT has expressed profound distress over the "horrifying, inhumane and nightmarish conditions" faced by the abducted individuals. The union highlighted that despite previous warnings and appeals for enhanced school security, these attacks occurred. They noted that prior appeals to security agencies and government authorities have not yielded the safe return of the victims, leaving families and the educational community in prolonged anguish. The union had previously cautioned that a withdrawal of services would be necessary if the government failed to act.

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We have directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released.