Teachers in Akwa Ibom Protest Against Kidnappings in Oyo State

Teachers in Akwa Ibom State will stop work on Tuesday. They are joining a nationwide protest calling for the release of teachers and students kidnapped from schools in Oyo State.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing, made this known in a letter dated 1 June. The letter was sent to the state commissioner for education.

The union announced that all primary and secondary schools in the state will be closed on Tuesday. This is to allow teachers to take part in the peaceful protest.

This protest follows a directive from the NUT's national leadership. This came after teachers and pupils were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary Schools in Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State on 15 May.

Reports say some of the victims have been killed, while others are still being held.

“The rally will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 2 June 2026. It will start from the Teachers’ House, 14 IBB Avenue, Uyo and end at the Governor’s Office. So, all primary and secondary schools in the state will be closed,” said the Akwa Ibom NUT in the letter signed by its Principal Assistant Secretary, Udeme Ebe, for the senior assistant secretary-general.

The union urged the Ministry of Education to support this action. They believe it is necessary to respond to the suffering of the abducted teachers and students.

In a circular dated 29 May and sent to all state wings, the NUT national leadership showed deep concern. They described the situation of the kidnapped teachers and students as “horrifying, terrible, inhumane and nightmarish.”

The union pointed out that even after previous calls to the government and security agencies, the victims are still in captivity more than two weeks after the abduction.

The NUT is also worried about reports of some of their members being killed. They mentioned emotional pleas from a school principal and another teacher among those taken by the kidnappers.

“We also hear the cry of the School Principal and a teacher who are urgently appealing to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, NUT, ANCOPSS, and all well-meaning Nigerians to quickly step in and secure their release through talks with their captors,” the national body stated.

The union expressed worry over the lack of information about the wellbeing of the kidnapped teachers and students.

To respond, the national leadership asked all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to stop work from Monday, 1 June, until the victims are free.

They also called for solidarity rallies in all states on Tuesday.

The protests are expected to end at state government houses. Here, union leaders will speak to the media and demand that all levels of government improve security in schools.

“The Union stands with the victims and their families. We are committed to using every legal means to ensure their safe return,” the circular said.

This protest is similar to one organized by the NUT in May 2014. That protest was in response to the kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State.

At that time, the union closed schools across the country to allow teachers to join protests demanding the girls' rescue.

This latest action shows growing worries among teachers about ongoing attacks on schools and the safety of students and teachers in parts of the country.