Public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State on Monday commenced an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of teachers and pupils from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The industrial action, declared by the Oyo State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, recorded full compliance across the state, with only candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination and their invigilators allowed into school premises.
The strike follows the May 15 attack on Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, as well as Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, near Ogbomoso, where armed assailants abducted pupils and teachers and killed two persons.
A monitoring exercise showed that schools in Ibadan and other parts of the state remained shut, with students turned back upon arrival as early as 7:45 a.m.
Among the affected schools were Anglican Junior Secondary School, Orita-Mefa; St. Patrick Secondary School, Bashorun; St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola; Oba Akinbiyi Model School; and St. Brigid’s School, Mokola.
A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, said the action was taken in solidarity with victims of the attack.
“We are all complying in solidarity with the affected teachers, pupils and their families. We pray that the abducted victims will regain their freedom and return home safely,” she said.
Another educator, Mrs Tayo Olutayo, explained that both staff and students had been properly informed ahead of the shutdown.
“Only WAEC candidates and teachers involved in the examination process are expected to be in school,” she said.
Reports from other zones including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa and Igboora confirmed similar compliance, as public schools remained closed in line with the union’s directive.
The NUT had earlier ordered the strike to begin on June 1 following the kidnapping incident, which has continued to spark concern over safety in schools across the state.
