*Leaders Should Know That Nigerians Are Fed Up With Insecurity -Protester
Irate teachers in Oyo State today kicked off an indefinite strike over the abduction of some of their colleagues and pupils by terrorists.
As the teachers withdrew their services, paralyzing the state’s public educational system, civil society organizations (CSOs) took to the streets of Ibadan,the star capital, in protest over the kidnappings and general security situation in the state, officially dubbed Pacesetter State.
Thirty-nine students and seven teachers lost their freedom following their kidnap on Friday, 15 May, 2026, in some communities of Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The initial seeming nonchalance of the federal authorities outraged many Nigerians with angry reactions literally setting social media ablaze.
The public angst was worsened by video footages circulating on social media of the pupils, some mere infants, being tortured in the forests by terrorists even as the sword of Damocles hung over the teachers’ lives.
Oyo State Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Chairman, Comrade Hassan Fatai, gave the directive to proceed on indefinite strike in a statement issued today.
The teachers’ industrial action is coming after a directive by President Bola Tinubu yesterday for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to secure the release of the kidnapped teachers and students.
Fatai said the industrial action is in protest against the continued stay in captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils.
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 is aimed at drawing the attention of government to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.
The union called on all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.
“The action is intended to draw the attention of government and security agencies to the urgent need to intensify efforts towards the safe rescue of our colleagues and the pupils still in captivity,” the statement stressed.
On their part, CSOs stormed the streets of Ibadan in protest, compelling the authorities to deploy contingents of security personnel in the ancient city to guard against possible breakdown of law and order.
There was a noticeable heavy presence of personnel of security agencies such as the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and others at strategic locations.
The personnel were spotted at the entrance of Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Idi Ape and Iwo Road, as well as in Sango, Dugbe, Total Garden and Dugbe and Mokola Roundabout.
At Mokola Roundabout, it was noticed that members of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement were championing the protest.
Displaying placards with inscriptions, they urged government and security agencies to deepen efforts to release the victims.
Some of the inscriptions read ‘Security for all, not for a few’, ‘Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State’, ‘We demand safer roads and communities’, ‘Protect farmers, traders and students’, ‘Peace, security and justice’, and others.
“Our leaders should know that the people of Nigeria are not at peace. They have to know that the people of Oyo State are not smiling. They should know that the Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity,” one of the protesters said.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Some of the protesters… today.
