The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has declared an indefinite strike across Oyo State, effective Monday, 1 June 2026, demanding the immediate and safe release of 46 people abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May.

The union also directed all state wings nationwide to hold solidarity rallies on Tuesday, 2 June, to demand the unconditional release of the kidnapped teachers and students, and to press for government action on school security across the federation.

The strike directive was issued in a circular dated 29 May and signed by Audu Amba, NUT president, and Clinton Ikpitibo, secretary general.

“In view of the continued detention of our colleagues and learners in the den of their abductors, without any clear sign of their timeous rescue and safe release, the national leadership has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released,” the statement read.

The Oyo State wing of NUT confirmed full compliance with the directive on Sunday. Salami Olukayode, secretary of the state wing, said the continued detention of the victims had “created fear, anxiety, and disruption within the education sector, while also eroding public confidence in school safety.”

The abduction and escalating violence

The crisis began on 15 May when armed gunmen attacked Community High School in Ahoro-Esinele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. The assailants abducted 39 students and 7 teachers, killing an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist who resisted during the initial attack.

On 18 May, the captors released a video showing the beheading of Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, sparking nationwide outrage and intensifying calls for intervention.

Since the abduction, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, released two distress videos on Instagram on Friday, appealing to the government to negotiate urgently with the kidnappers. In the videos, she alleged that the captors were threatening to kill another victim imminently.

Government response escalates

On Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde visited families of the victims in affected communities, assuring them that the state government was working around the clock for their safe return. He mobilised multiple security agencies including the military, police, Amotekun Corps, Civil Defence and local hunters.

On Sunday, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Tinubu, and Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, led a federal government delegation to Ogbomoso, signalling heightened federal involvement in the rescue effort.

President Tinubu has also directed the deployment of a “specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities” to secure the release of the victims.

NUT’s demands and solidarity action

The NUT’s solidarity rallies on 2 June will terminate at state government houses, where union leadership is expected to address the press on the need for government at all levels to provide safe and secure school environments.

“The Union stands in solidarity with the victims and their families and remains committed to pursuing every lawful means to ensure their safe return,” the NUT statement read.

The union urged members to remain law-abiding whilst the indefinite strike continues and to stay safe at home whilst the union engages with relevant authorities for the victims’ safe return.

Impact on education sector

The strike will affect all public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, potentially disrupting education for hundreds of thousands of students. This adds to the education crisis already affecting the state following the kidnapping, as schools have closed or operate with reduced attendance due to security fears.

The kidnapping and subsequent beheading of a teacher have intensified fears among educators nationwide, with teachers unions across the country expressing solidarity with their Oyo colleagues and demanding enhanced school security measures and government action on kidnapping.

As of 30 May, the 46 abducted people including children as young as two years old remain in captivity.