More than a month after the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, the Oyo State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing withdrawal of services and allow learners across public schools to return to the classroom.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the prolonged disruption of academic activities in many public primary and secondary schools, with education stakeholders warning that continued school closures could negatively affect thousands of pupils and students across the state.
The security crisis began on May 15, 2026, when armed attackers abducted 46 people, including 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers, during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all in Oriire Local Government Area.
The incident sent shockwaves across Oyo State and triggered widespread fears over the safety of schools in rural communities.
The situation worsened after one of the teachers, Joel Adesiyan, was killed during the attack. Weeks later, another victim, Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed while in captivity, further heightening anxiety among teachers, parents and residents.
In response, the Oyo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers directed its members to withdraw from classrooms, insisting that educators should not be exposed to dangerous working conditions without adequate security guarantees.
The union maintained that schools should only reopen after concrete measures have been put in place to protect teachers, pupils and school facilities.
However, the Oyo State Government has urged the union to reconsider its position, stressing that while the safety concerns are legitimate, prolonged school closures could have serious educational and social consequences.
Speaking after the State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged the fears expressed by teachers but appealed for cooperation in the interest of learners whose education has been disrupted by the crisis.
The government also assured residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims and restore normalcy in the affected communities.
As part of broader efforts to strengthen education, the Executive Council approved the release of over ₦8.77 billion as the first tranche of funding for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
The intervention forms part of the World Bank-supported Better Education Service Delivery for All – Additional Financing for Teacher Effectiveness and School Transformation (BESDA-AFTESS) programme and will provide instructional materials in subjects including Numeracy, Literacy, Mathematics, English Language and Basic Science.
Government officials expressed optimism that the investment would improve learning outcomes and enhance access to quality educational resources in public schools.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that the Elesinele of Esiele, High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, was invited for questioning over the abduction incident, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The police urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining ongoing rescue efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to securing the release of the remaining victims and bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice.
For many parents and students, however, the priority remains the safe reopening of schools. Stakeholders continue to call for lasting solutions that will guarantee security while ensuring that academic activities resume without further delay.
