Oriire abduction: NUT suspends Oyo strike, orders teachers back to class

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has suspended its indefinite withdrawal of services and directed public primary and secondary school teachers to resume duties from Thursday, July 2, 2026, following a directive from the union’s national leadership and assurances from state authorities.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by Hassan Fatai, chairman of the Oyo chapter, and Olukayode Salami, the union’s secretary, the decision came after “constructive engagements with the Oyo State Government and public appeal by the government and other critical stakeholders.”

The statement said the national leadership “reviewed the prevailing situation” before ordering the suspension.

The union said the move was taken “in the collective interest of the public” after the state government made a series of commitments aimed at improving school security and addressing the recent abduction of teachers and learners in Oriire Local Government.

Among the promises, the government pledged to establish “a well-equipped Joint Security Task Force to conduct regular patrols of vulnerable schools and access routes,” continue engagement with victims’ families, and provide psychosocial support and rehabilitation for rescued teachers and learners.

It also assured payment of gratuities and other entitlements to families of deceased teachers.

Other measures listed by the government included sustained public sensitisation on safe school initiatives and early warning mechanisms, strengthened security training and emergency response systems, efforts to address ungoverned spaces that harbour criminal elements, improvements to school infrastructure, and tackling root causes of insecurity such as illegal mining and open grazing.

The statement said the government would also enhance community intelligence and collaboration with security agencies, ensure swift justice for criminal elements, improve the welfare of security personnel, and deploy technology and effective information management to enhance school security.

The NUT thanked its members for their response during the withdrawal, praising their “understanding, solidarity, discipline and total compliance” and saying their “unwavering commitment to the directives of the Union has further strengthened our collective voice in pursuing the welfare, wellbeing, safety and security of teachers and learners.”

While directing teachers to return to the classroom, the union urged members to “remain vigilant, law-abiding, and cooperate with school authorities and security agencies by promptly reporting any security concerns within their respective communities.”

It added that it will continue to engage the government until “all outstanding concerns are satisfactorily addressed.”