Public schools across Oyo State were shut on Monday as the Nigeria Union of Teachers commenced a nationwide protest over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, sparking street demonstrations in Oyo and Ogun states.
The action followed the May 15 attack on Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esienle and Yawota communities, where armed men seized pupils and teachers, triggering nationwide outrage.
Compliance with the protest directive led to the suspension of academic activities across all 33 local government areas of Oyo, while residents, civil society groups and labour activists marched in Ibadan and Abeokuta, demanding urgent government action to end worsening insecurity.
Tearful parents, teachers and protesters decried the prolonged captivity, describing the ordeal of young children held in forest camps as inhumane and unacceptable.
Security agencies were deployed to monitor demonstrations as organisers warned that Nigeria had reached a tipping point and urged federal and state authorities to prioritise school safety and secure the immediate release of all abductees.