IBADAN, NIGERIA — Academic activities were disrupted across public schools in Oyo State on Monday as teachers complied with a directive from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on a peaceful protest over the abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protest, which led to the closure of public schools across Ibadan and other parts of the state, was organised to demand the immediate release of 47 teachers and students kidnapped from public and private schools in Ahoro Esiele Community, Oriire LGA.
School gates remained locked, classrooms were deserted, and students arriving at schools in areas such as Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage and Odo Ona were turned back as teaching and learning activities were suspended. However, Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) students sitting for terminal examinations were allowed access to school premises.
Speaking anonymously, a teacher described the action as a show of solidarity with the abducted victims who have remained in captivity for more than two weeks.
“We cannot begin to imagine the pain, fear and trauma the kidnapped students and their teachers have endured over the past 18 days. We appeal to both the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to intensify efforts toward their safe and unconditional release,” the teacher said.
The protest received support from civil society groups and residents who called for stronger security measures around schools and vulnerable communities.
Ogun Residents Join Protest
In neighbouring Ogun State, residents staged a peaceful demonstration in Abeokuta, condemning worsening insecurity and demanding urgent government intervention.
The protesters, comprising youths, business owners, nursing mothers and civil society advocates, gathered at Panseke Skating Ground carrying placards with messages such as “Release Our Children and Teachers,” “Stop Insecurity, Nigeria Is Falling Apart,” and “Bring Back Our Schoolchildren.”
Addressing the crowd, Pastor Juwon Owolabi said Nigerians were increasingly living in fear due to escalating cases of kidnapping, terrorism and violent crime.
“This is a painful period for families and communities. Government has the capacity to tackle insecurity, and the time to act is now. No Nigerian, regardless of status, can confidently say they are safe,” he said.
Entrepreneur Ada Comfort expressed concern that insecurity was affecting both family life and economic activities.
“My children are not among those kidnapped, but I cannot sleep peacefully. I constantly think about what those children and their parents are going through,” she said.
Similarly, nursing mother Precious Jonathan said she joined the protest to advocate for a safer future for Nigerian children.
“We deserve a better Nigeria. Government must provide security and protect innocent citizens,” she stated.
The demonstration ended peacefully under the watch of security personnel, with participants reiterating calls for stronger measures against kidnappers and terrorists.
NUT Extends Protest Nationwide
Meanwhile, the NUT announced plans to stage a nationwide solidarity protest on Tuesday over the abduction of teachers and students.
National President of the union, Audu Titus Amba, described the continued captivity of the victims as unacceptable and warned that insecurity within school environments threatens the future of education in Nigeria.
“Seven of our members remain in captivity. If schools are not safe, how can teachers teach and students learn? Education is critical to national development, and schools must be protected,” Amba said.
He lamented what he described as slow progress in rescue efforts and expressed concern over reports that abducted pupils and students were being used as shields by terrorists.
“Innocent children must never be used as human shields. This disturbing trend must be stopped immediately,” he added.
Muslim Congress Calls for Decisive Action
The Muslim Congress (TMC) also condemned the abduction and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive action against growing insecurity.
In a statement signed by its President, Alhaji AbdulWasi’i Bangbala, the organisation described the Oyo kidnapping as another indication of the deepening security crisis affecting schools and communities across Nigeria.
“What was once considered an extraordinary occurrence has become a disturbing routine. Nigerians can no longer continue to live under the shadow of fear and recurring violence,” the statement read.
The group called for a comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes of insecurity rather than temporary responses.
Borno Residents Question Federal Response
In Borno State, residents voiced concern over what they described as the Federal Government’s silence regarding the abduction of 42 primary and junior secondary school students from Mussa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
Civil society leaders argued that while the Oyo abduction received a high-profile federal response, including visits by senior government officials, similar attention had not been given to victims in Borno.
Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, Abubakar Suleiman, said the government must treat all victims equally regardless of location.
“The Federal Government swiftly responded to the Oyo incident, yet there has been little visible intervention regarding the Borno abductions. Every Nigerian life is equally important,” he said.
Political analyst Abubakar Kareto echoed the sentiment, noting that both incidents occurred on the same day but attracted markedly different levels of attention.
He described the contrasting responses as troubling and called for equal urgency in rescue operations across all affected regions.
Similarly, President of the Borno South Youths Alliance Forum, Samaila Kaigama, urged political leaders to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted students and prioritise the welfare of affected communities.
As concerns continue to mount nationwide, stakeholders are demanding swift and decisive action from government and security agencies to rescue those still in captivity and restore confidence in the country’s security architecture.
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