Public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday as teachers complied with a directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers to begin a nationwide protest over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The protest coincided with demonstrations in Oyo and Ogun states, where residents, civil society groups and labour activists demanded the immediate release of the abductees and urged governments at all levels to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity.
On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked three schools—Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, taking pupils and teachers captive.
The abduction had since generated outcries across the country.
Checks by The PUNCH showed that academic activities were suspended in public schools across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State following the NUT directive.
Students in Moniya, Ojoo and Otun Agba-Agbakin in Akinyele Local Government; Agbowo, Bodija and Sango in Ibadan North Local Government; Beere, Oja’ba and Molete in Ibadan South East Local Government; Orita Challenge and New Garage in Ibadan South West, as well as Odo-Ona and Alao-Akala Way in the Oluyole Local Government Area, who had prepared for school were asked to remain at home after news of the strike filtered through on Monday morning.
Also, there was total compliance in Ogbomoso and Ibarapa axis of the state.
In Ogbomoso, some protesters took to the streets to demand the immediate rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
A visibly distraught woman, wearing a pink hijab, broke down in tears as she pleaded for the release of the victims, lamenting that her children were among those kidnapped.
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.”
Also, another protester, 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, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the abducted teachers and pupils.
The teacher said, “I was already in my base—Ibarapa yesterday (Sunday) after Sallah break when one of my bosses called me on the telephone and said that there would be a strike on Monday. I came back home to Ibadan today (Monday) to observe it.”
Another teacher said, “The protest is in solidarity with the kidnapped teachers and students of the 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.”
Parents also expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims.
Kunle Aofolaju said he only learned of the strike on a radio programme on Monday morning.
Aofolaju said, “I was not aware until this morning (Monday) when I heard the strike on a radio station’s news review”.
Another parent, Kazeem Abdulmumini, said, “My children had already put on their uniforms when my neighbours called my attention to the strike. So, I asked them immediately to undress and stay at home.”
In Ibadan, members of the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society organisations staged a peaceful protest, carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Security For All, Not For A Few,’ ‘Government Must End Kidnapping In Oyo State,’ and ‘Protect Farmers, Traders And Students.’
Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other agencies were deployed to strategic locations across the city during the demonstration.
A protester identified simply as Kunle said Nigerians were becoming increasingly frustrated by persistent insecurity.
“Let them know that Nigerians are not at peace. Let them know that the people of Oyo are not smiling. Let them know that the Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity,” he said.
