Teachers and civil society groups on Friday staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, demanding urgent government intervention to secure the release of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The demonstrators warned that the safety of teachers and schoolchildren across the state could no longer be treated lightly.
The protest was organised by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group in collaboration with the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), a non-governmental organisation.
The abducted teachers and pupils were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Ogbomoso.
Addressing the protesters, the National President of the NTC, Reverend Bunmi Thomas, said the organisation joined the demonstration in solidarity with the victims and their families, stressing that the protest was lawful and aimed at pressing the government to intensify rescue efforts.
“When we heard about the proposed protest by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group, we were satisfied and decided to join them because what they are doing is lawful,” Thomas said.
“They are demanding pragmatic action from the government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students.”
Thomas acknowledged reports that efforts were already underway to rescue the victims but insisted that the government needed to do more.
“If the government is trying and the desired result has not been achieved, then more efforts must be intensified. We want the government to do more to rescue the teachers and pupils,” he added.
He expressed concern over the condition of the victims, particularly young children reportedly being held in difficult conditions in the bush.
“We have children as young as two and three years old in the bush. They are exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions. These victims are in danger, and nobody knows who could be next,” he lamented.
The union leader also called on the state government to deploy security personnel to public schools across Oyo State, arguing that teachers should not be forced to work under constant fear.
