Oyo Teachers' Union Talks with Governor Over Kidnapping Crisis

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State met with Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday. They discussed their ongoing strike, which is about the recent kidnapping of students and teachers from various schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The union's meeting with the governor focused on their demand for the rescue of the victims and better security in schools across the state.

They also mentioned that they would consult their national leadership before deciding their next move on the indefinite strike that started on June 1. This strike demands the urgent rescue of 39 students and seven teachers abducted by gunmen from three schools on May 15 in Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area.

Oyo NUT Secretary, Salami Olukayode, spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on the phone on Tuesday. He said the union told the governor about their concerns and would share the meeting's outcome with the national body. This body had directed the strike by teachers in the state and the nationwide protest supported by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and civil society groups.

“The governor received us today to engage us, but the next line of action now is for us to refer the matter back to the national body,” Olukayode said. “It was the national body that directed the withdrawal of services in Oyo State and the nationwide protest in solidarity for the rescue of the victims.”

Mr Olukayode stressed that the union’s main worry is the safe rescue of those abducted and stronger security measures in schools to stop future attacks on schools and nearby communities.

He noted that the psychological and emotional effects of the incident have left many teachers, families, and communities traumatized. The union has called for real school protection measures in the state.

“We are requesting them to work with all necessary authorities down to the local government level to secure the release of these victims. Because for them to continue to be in captivity, the agony in the land continues to mount,” Mr Olukayode said.

While efforts to free the victims continue, teachers are worried about the long-term security of schools in the state. Akande Rukayat, a teacher at Muslim Grammar School, Odinjo in Ibadan, said the kidnapping has raised safety concerns among teachers and parents.

“The incident affected us because they are our colleagues, and those children are small children. Anybody with blood running in their body would sympathize with those teachers and pupils,” she said.

She added that while some schools have tightened security measures after the incident, many teachers still fear returning to classrooms without clear security improvements.

“In my school now, before anybody enters, we record the person’s name and purpose. We now monitor movements more carefully,” she said. “But what about a stronger security presence across schools in the state? Because these people are armed with guns.”

Christina John, a parent from a school in Ogbomosho, said they support efforts to free the victims but are worried about the ongoing disruption of school activities. She said the incident has made parents hesitant to send their children to school, especially in rural areas.

“We want our children back in school but we are worried about sending our children to school and spending every day worrying whether they will return home. We need help on security,” she said.

The kidnapping in Oriire LGA is the latest in a series of mass abductions in communities and schools in Nigeria over the last ten years. Since the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, hundreds of students and teachers have been kidnapped in different incidents across states like Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi.