Oyo Workers, Teachers Protest Kidnapping of Pupils, Demand Immediate Rescue

By Emmanuel Kwada

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), students, and civil society organisations on Tuesday staged a protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, demanding their immediate rescue.

The protest followed an ongoing strike action declared by labour and teachers’ unions in response to the kidnapping incident. Demonstrators marched from the NLC Secretariat in Agodi to the Oyo State Government Secretariat, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Teachers and Students Now,” “Save Education and End Insecurity Now,” and “Let Teachers Teach in Peace.”

Addressing the protesters at the Governor’s Office, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urged Nigerians to unite against insecurity and avoid politicising the abduction.

He assured the protesters that security agencies had been working tirelessly since the incident occurred and appealed for continued trust in government efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.

“This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blames or play politics. We must pull together as one people to confront this challenge,” Makinde said.

The governor described the kidnappers as individuals who have shown complete disregard for human life, stressing that tackling insecurity requires collective action from all levels of government and citizens.

Makinde revealed that both the Federal Government and Oyo State Government were collaborating closely with security agencies to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Yawota and Ahoro Esinle communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

He expressed optimism that the victims would return safely and pledged that his administration would consider additional measures to strengthen the state’s security architecture once the crisis is resolved.

Earlier, Oyo State NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins, and NUT Chairman, Comrade Fatai Hassan, condemned the abduction and insisted that teachers would remain on strike until the kidnapped pupils and teachers regain their freedom.

National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, also called for stronger collaboration among all tiers of government to combat insecurity and protect schools across the country.

The labour leaders, teachers, and students commended Governor Makinde’s efforts but urged the government to intensify rescue operations and improve security around educational institutions to prevent future attacks.

The protest underscored growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State and renewed calls for urgent action to safeguard schools, teachers, and students from criminal attacks.