Academic activities were brought to a standstill across public schools in Oyo State yesterday as teachers complied with a directive from the National Secretariat of 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 came on a day residents of Borno State also expressed concern over the Federal Government’s silence following the abduction of 42 primary and junior secondary school students in Mussa community, Askira Uba Local Government Area.
In Oyo, the demonstration was organised to demand the immediate release of 47 teachers and students recently kidnapped from both public and private schools in Ahoro Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area.
Following the directive issued by the NUT national leadership in Abuja, public schools across the 11 local government areas of Ibadanland were shut down, with school gates locked and classrooms deserted.
Many students who reported to school in areas such as Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage, and Odo Ona were turned back and asked to return home as teaching and learning activities were suspended.
However, it was gathered that only Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students sitting for their terminal examinations were allowed into school premises.
A teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the protest as an act of solidarity with the abducted students and teachers 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,” the teacher said.
“Our appeal is to both the Federal and Oyo State governments to intensify efforts and take urgent action to secure their safe and unconditional release.”
The protest also drew support from civil society organisations and concerned residents, who called for stronger security measures to protect schools and prevent further attacks on educational institutions.
