The education sector in Oyo State is facing fresh disruption after the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers to begin an indefinite strike over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.
The action, which takes effect from Monday, June 1, follows growing frustration over the fate of dozens of victims who were kidnapped during attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities.
For many teachers, the issue has moved beyond workplace concerns and become a matter of personal safety.
According to the union, the continued captivity of the victims has created fear among educators, unsettled parents and raised serious concerns about the security of schools across the state.
The directive was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Oyo State Chairman of the union, Hassan Fatai, and Secretary Salami Olukayode.
The union said the strike is intended to send a strong message to government authorities and security agencies that more urgent action is needed to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Rather than continuing classroom activities while colleagues remain in captivity, the union believes authorities must be pressured into treating the situation as a top priority.
The development comes amid increasing public outrage over the abduction of 46 pupils and their teachers, an incident that has triggered nationwide concern and renewed debate about school security in Nigeria.
Teachers have also expressed fears that without stronger protection measures, schools could become even more vulnerable to future attacks.
As part of the directive, all public primary and secondary school teachers across Oyo State have been instructed to stay away from classrooms until further notice.
The strike is expected to affect thousands of pupils across the state and could further disrupt academic activities if the crisis remains unresolved.
While the Federal Government recently announced fresh security measures, including the recruitment of forest guards and the deployment of specialised rescue teams, many affected families are still waiting for one thing — the safe return of the abducted children and teachers.
Until that happens, the anxiety gripping schools and communities across Oyo State appears unlikely to fade.