Olushola Omogbehin
Following the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers to begin a nationwide protest over the prolonged captivity of pupils and teachers kidnapped from schools in Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, Public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday.
On Monday as well, civil society groups, labour activists and residents demonstrated and demanded the immediate release of the abductees with special appeal to governments at all levels to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity.
According to PUNCH, public schools in about 33 local government areas of Oyo State shut down activities following the NUT directive.
the report revealed that Students in Moniya, Ojoo and Otun Agba-Agbakin in Akinyele Local Government; Agbowo, Bodija and Sango in Ibadan North Local Government; Beere, Oja’ba and Molete in Ibadan South East Local Government; Orita Challenge and New Garage in Ibadan South West, as well as Odo-Ona and Alao-Akala Way in the Oluyole Local Government Area, who had prepared for school were asked to remain at home after news of the strike filtered through on Monday morning.
Also, in Ogbomosho where there was total compliance, some protesters took to the streets to demand the immediate rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
Among the protesters, a woman who has her children among the kidnapped children pleaded in tears saying: “Please, have mercy on me. The children have a bright future. Government, please help us and intervene in this matter. I have cried and cried.
“Where will I start from? The children are my tomorrow. They are my hope. Please, help me. May you also not weep over your children.”
On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked three schools-Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, taking pupils and teachers captive.
The abduction had since generated outcries across the country.
