National Teachers Union Starts Strike Over Oyo Abductions

By Babatunji Wusu

The National Teachers Union has ordered an indefinite strike across Oyo State. This decision follows the ongoing captivity of the school pupils and staff taken from the Oriire Local Government Area. Under this new instruction, all primary and secondary school teachers in the state will stop working from Monday, June 1, 2026. The union insists that the strike will continue until the criminals release every victim unconditionally.

Furthermore, national leaders have instructed all state branches across the country to hold solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2. These peaceful marches will finish at the various Government Houses nationwide. National Teachers Union National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, and Secretary General, Dr. Clinton J. Ikpitibo, released a joint statement explaining their actions. They are deeply concerned about the worsening condition of the hostages, who have been held since May 15.

The union expressed deep sadness that official appeals have not brought any real progress from security agencies. Anxiety has grown recently after worrying reports suggested that some victims might have died. Heartbreaking videos have also appeared online from the forest hideout. In these clips, a kidnapped principal and a teacher begged the federal government, local authorities, and the public for help.

Because of this severe trauma, the teachers union strike became completely unavoidable. The union insists that schools must never be soft targets for gangs. They are demanding immediate rescue efforts from the federal government response teams. Ultimately, the union believes that children cannot learn whilst living in constant fear, and they will keep up the pressure until everyone is safe.