The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has said public schools shut down following the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area will only reopen after the government implements adequate security measures to guarantee the safety of learners and education workers.
The union’s position follows the indefinite strike it declared after more than 40 students and teachers were abducted in Oriire on May 15, a development that heightened concerns over the safety of schools and communities across the state.
Speaking in Ibadan on Tuesday, the state secretary of the union, Olukayode Salami, said schools could resume academic activities once the government takes concrete steps to restore confidence among teachers, parents and students.
The abduction incident has intensified concerns about school security in parts of Oyo State. In recent years, attacks on schools and educational institutions in several parts of northern and central Nigeria have prompted governments and stakeholders to adopt measures aimed at safeguarding learning environments. The latest incident in Oyo has renewed calls for stronger security around schools and vulnerable communities.
Salami said the decision to withdraw teachers from classrooms was informed by the worsening security situation, including the killing of two teachers during the incident and the continued captivity of abducted victims.
According to him, the situation created widespread fear, anxiety and psychological distress among teachers and learners, while some parents had also begun withdrawing their children from schools due to safety concerns.
“As much as we have casualties among learners in terms of abduction, we have higher casualties among teachers because two of them were killed.
“The continuous detention of victims in captivity is another factor of concern to all of us.
“The emotion, tension and panic in society also contributed to the decision because classrooms were no longer safe and teachers were not psychologically stable to carry out their duties,” he said.
Salami explained that the union did not immediately embark on strike after the abduction but eventually took the decision when it became clear that the security situation had not improved sufficiently.
He noted that the suspension of academic activities was tied to specific conditions, including the safe rescue of the abducted victims and the implementation of measures capable of preventing similar incidents in the future.
“The condition we attached was for government to intensify efforts and ensure the safe rescue of these people.
“Secondly, government must put measures in place that can guard against such occurrences.
“No condition is permanent and no decision is permanent.
“Once meaningful measures are put in place, there will be a need to review the position and see how we can collectively move forward,” he said.
The NUT secretary stressed that schools should remain safe spaces dedicated to learning and development rather than becoming targets of criminal activities.
“If anybody has a grievance against government, such persons should address it with government and not resort to attacking schools and innocent people who are not responsible for any offence,” he said.
Salami disclosed that the union, alongside other stakeholders, recently held extensive meetings with government officials to discuss strategies for addressing the security challenges affecting schools and communities.
According to him, a communiqué was issued at the end of the meetings, while a number of action plans were developed and submitted to the government for implementation.
“We are waiting for the implementation of those action plans, especially those requiring immediate action.
“Schools and classrooms cannot remain shut forever, but we need to see signs that will restore confidence in society for us to return to work,” he said.
The union leader called for intensified security patrols across vulnerable communities and strategic locations throughout the state, arguing that such measures would reassure residents and discourage criminal activities.
He also proposed the establishment of joint security task forces involving conventional security agencies and local security groups, including hunters and vigilante organisations.
According to him, local government areas bordering forests and other vulnerable locations should have dedicated security formations responsible for routine patrols and intelligence gathering.
“If we begin to see security patrols across every nook and cranny of the state, especially vulnerable areas, it will send a signal that government is addressing the situation.
“There should be no room for criminality. Once confidence and peace of mind are restored, people will be able to go about their normal activities, including teaching and learning,” he said.
Salami, however, maintained that the responsibility for providing security rests primarily with the government, which possesses the authority, manpower and logistics needed to deploy security personnel where required.
He urged the government to address the issue with urgency to ensure the protection of lives, restore confidence in the education system and facilitate the safe return of teachers and students to classrooms.
