IBADAN, Nigeria. The Nigeria Union of Teachers urged government and security agencies to secure the immediate release of students and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Okay News reports that the union’s state chairman, Hassan Fatai, and state secretary, Salami Olukayode, issued a joint statement at 12:44 p.m. WAT addressing the continued captivity of victims taken during coordinated attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities within the Oriire Local Government Area.
The statement followed the release of a video by the abductors showing the victims appealing for their freedom. “The union views this development as both heartbreaking, barbaric and unacceptable. No child or teacher deserves to endure such terror,” the statement said.
The union acknowledged ongoing interventions but requested expedited measures from the Government of Nigeria. “This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven effort to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers. The NUT acknowledges the ongoing interventions by the government and security operatives, but we emphasize that time is of the essence,” the statement said.
“Their prolonged stay in captivity is inflicting psychological pain on their families, the school community, and the entire teaching profession. We hereby call for expedited and more decisive actions from the government and all relevant security agencies,” the union said.
The union urged authorities to intensify surveillance and called on community leaders to provide security agencies with credible information. “Every additional minute these innocent victims spend in the hands of their abductors deepens the trauma and raises concerns about their welfare and emotion which has been totally impaired,” the statement said.
The union formally expressed solidarity with the families of the abducted victims. “We remain committed to ensuring that our schools become safe havens, never battlegrounds. We demand swift and responsive actions, renewed commitment, and unwavering resolve from all authorities involved,” the statement said.
