Oyo Teachers Maintain Strike as State Imposes Curfew to Rescue Abducted Schoolchildren

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has refused to call off its indefinite strike, insisting that public schools will only reopen when the state government puts credible security measures in place to protect teachers and students.

The union’s position comes as the Oyo State Government, under Governor Seyi Makinde, declared a 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park to intensify ongoing rescue operations for the pupils and teachers abducted on May 15.

The NUT’s Oyo State Secretary, Olukayode Salami, explained that the strike was triggered by the abduction of approximately 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. Two teachers were reportedly killed during the incident, creating deep fear, psychological trauma, and loss of confidence among educators and parents. Many parents have already withdrawn their children from schools, further complicating the situation.

Salami emphasised that classrooms must not become targets for criminals. He noted that the union had held extensive meetings with government officials and submitted action plans, but is waiting for visible implementation of enhanced security measures, including increased patrols and joint task forces with local vigilantes and hunters, particularly in forest-border communities.

To support the rescue effort, the state government has imposed a curfew from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily across Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba local government areas.

The restriction, which begins today and will initially run for 48 hours, is designed to allow security forces unrestricted access to the vast and difficult terrain of the Old Oyo National Park, where the kidnappers are believed to be holding the victims.

Security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Amotekun, and local vigilantes, have intensified operations in the area, encountering challenges such as improvised explosive devices. The curfew aims to reduce civilian presence that could complicate rescue efforts and prevent criminals from moving freely at night.

The state police command also debunked a viral video falsely claiming that the abducted victims had been flown by helicopter to Kaduna State, describing the clip as misleading and capable of undermining public confidence in the rescue operation.

The May 15 attack on schools in Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota, and Esiele communities has heightened insecurity concerns in Oyo State, a region previously considered relatively safer than parts of northern Nigeria. Governor Makinde has repeatedly pledged that “Oyo is not Chibok,” assuring residents that every available resource is being deployed to secure the safe return of the victims.

The combined pressure of the teachers’ strike and the curfew reflects the severity of the situation. While the government pushes for the safe rescue of the remaining hostages, the NUT insists that meaningful security improvements must be visible before teachers and students can safely return to classrooms.