School abductions: Protest rocks Oyo, Ogun as NUT begins nationwide rallies

School abductions: Protest rocks Oyo, Ogun as NUT begins nationwide rallies

Public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were closed on Monday as teachers complied with a directive from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), launching nationwide protests over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

The protest coincided with demonstrations in Oyo and Ogun States, where residents, civil society groups, and labour activists demanded the immediate release of abducted victims and stronger government action on insecurity.

The May 15, 2026 attack on three schools in Esiele and Yawota communities triggered the ongoing unrest. Academic activities were completely suspended across Oyo State’s 33 LGAs following the NUT directive.

In Ibadan and surrounding areas, including Moniya, Bodija, Sango, and others, pupils were turned back after arriving at school. Full compliance was also recorded in Ogbomoso and the Ibarapa axis.

Ogbomoso protests

In Ogbomoso, residents staged street protests demanding urgent rescue of abducted pupils and teachers. A woman in a pink hijab broke down in tears while appealing for their release.

The woman said, “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.”

Ajibola Aboderin said, “We are here to express our grievances, but in a peaceful manner. We feel the pain of the abducted teachers, students and their families, almost 18 days after the incident.

“Even those of us in our homes are feeling the discomfort, not to talk of pupils in the forest enduring such harsh conditions — the rain, the sun and the dew. It is truly pathetic.

“We are protesting to draw the attention of the Federal and State Governments, as well as security agencies, to urgently secure their release.

“We are not happy at all. How can anyone be so heartless as to kidnap a two-year-old boy or girl? This country is deteriorating into something unrecognisable.”

A teacher said, “I was already in my base – Ibarapa yesterday (Sunday) after Sallah break when one of my bosses called me on the telephone that there would be a strike on Monday. I came back home to Ibadan today (Monday) to observe it.”

Another teacher added, “The protest is in solidarity with the kidnapped teachers and students of Ahoro-Esienle community. We cannot imagine the pains and agonies of the kidnapped students and their teachers in the past 18 days. Our appeal is for both the Federal and State Governments to expedite action on their release.”

Ogun residents join protest

In Abeokuta, Ogun State residents also protested, carrying placards demanding an end to kidnappings and insecurity.

Juwon Owolabi said residents live in fear and called for urgent action.

He said, “This is a time when the parents and everyone are grieving. We cannot continue like this. We sleep with anxiety and panic, and we trust that the government has the capacity and what it takes to end this insecurity now.

“We are at a tipping point. We are at a point where if we don’t do anything about this insecurity, all of us will be victims of it. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you are a civil servant or whether you are rich or poor, you are not safe.

“Nobody is safe. It’s time we all come out. There is power in our numbers. The government must know we are united. Don’t wait until the 2027 election…”

An entrepreneur said, “For the past week, I have not been able to travel. I have orders coming in, but I can’t work. The least the government can do for us as citizens is to provide security,” she said.

Teachers begin nationwide rallies

Teachers across Nigeria will hold nationwide rallies on Tuesday demanding the release of abducted pupils and teachers.

The NUT directive, signed May 29, 2026, instructed all states to hold simultaneous protests.

Lagos teachers will gather at Ikeja Bus Stop before marching to Alausa, while Oyo teachers will converge at the NLC secretariat in Ibadan.

Lagos NUT Chairman Akintoye Hassan said schools would remain open in most states.

“There will be a solidarity rally tomorrow (today) across the federation, but schools will remain open in most states,” he said.

He added, “We decided not to shut down our schools entirely because that has been the objective of Boko Haram from the beginning…”

He stressed that closing schools would hurt children in public education and widen inequality.

Civil society and reactions

The North East Civil Society Network accused the government of unequal responses to abductions and demanded fairness across regions.

Other groups, including the Ogbomoso Pivotal Club Lagos, called for urgent rescue efforts, while the Northern Christian Youth Professionals welcomed the approval of 1,000 Forest Guards in Oyo but urged wider implementation.