By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from schools beginning from Monday, June 1, until further notice.
The directive, issued by the national leadership of the union, is in protest against the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain.
According to the union, the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.
The NUT said the industrial action was aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.
The union urged all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.
It will be recalled that on May 15, gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School, and L.A Primary School (Esiele), all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting teachers, pupils and students.
Those kidnapped include 39 students, seven teachers among which is Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esinele, while two teachers have been killed.
