Oyo NUT Declares Indefinite Strike Over Rising Insecurity; Tinubu Deploys Rescue Team and 1,000 Forest Guards
by Anietie Udobit, Abuja
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Public education in Oyo State has been brought to a standstill following an indefinite strike declared by the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in protest against the worsening insecurity that recently culminated in the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.
The strike, which has shut down public primary and secondary schools across the state, reflects growing frustration among educators who say they can no longer continue teaching under constant threats to their lives and those of their students.
The latest kidnapping incident has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of schools in rural communities, where security presence remains weak and response times are often slow.
Parents arriving at schools on Monday were met with locked gates and notices announcing the industrial action. Many expressed concern about the disruption to academic activities but admitted that the safety of teachers and pupils must take priority.
In response to the growing public outrage, President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of a specialized rescue team alongside 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security operations in Oyo State.
Security analysts believe the deployment signals a recognition by the Federal Government that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting forest corridors stretching across several states.
The development also raises broader questions about school safety nationwide. Since the infamous Chibok abduction in 2014, educational institutions have increasingly become targets for kidnappers seeking ransom payments or publicity.
Education advocates warn that continued attacks could discourage school attendance and reverse years of progress in educational access.
For many teachers, however, the message is simple: classrooms cannot function where fear has become a daily companion.