The Nigeria Union of Teachers has ordered public school teachers in Oyo State to commence an indefinite strike following the abduction of colleagues and students in Oriire Local Government Area.

The directive was issued in a statement on Sunday, May 31, 2026, by the Oyo State Wing of the union and signed by State Secretary, Comrade Salami B. Olukayode, acting on the instructions of the national leadership.

The action comes in response to the kidnapping and ongoing captivity of teachers and pupils seized on May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack on schools around the Ogbomoso axis.

The Oyo State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers, including headteachers and principals, to immediately withdraw their services from classrooms until further notice.

“This is to officially convey to all Public Primary and Secondary School Teachers in Oyo State, the fresh directive of the National leadership of our union, NUT instructing us to withdraw our services from schools commencing from Tomorrow, Monday 1st June, 2026 till further notice for maximum compliance,” the statement read in part.

The union said the strike action became necessary due to the continued detention of abducted teachers and pupils, noting that the situation has heightened fear among education stakeholders and disrupted normal academic activities in affected communities.

The union added that the situation has discouraged parents from sending their children to school, further heightening tension within the education sector.

The Oyo State NUT also directed teachers to remain law-abiding and stay at home while engagements continue with relevant authorities to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils. It reaffirmed its support for affected families, stressing that the strike is aimed at mounting pressure on government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations.

On May 15, 2026, armed assailants attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinele/Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso, abducting both pupils and teachers.

The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. A total of about 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken, bringing the number of victims to approximately 46.

Those abducted included senior staff members, among them a vice principal identified as Mrs.

Rachael/Folawe Alamu. One of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, later died in captivity, according to confirmation by Governor Seyi Makinde.