The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on security agencies and the Oyo State government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the teachers and pupils abducted during attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Key Highlights:
- The Nigeria Union of Teachers called for urgent rescue of abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State.
- The victims were kidnapped from schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
- The union raised concern after a video allegedly showed the victims in distress.
- It urged security agencies and the government to intensify efforts for their immediate release.
- The NUT also called for stronger school security and improved community intelligence to prevent further attacks.
The union expressed concern over the continued captivity of the victims, warning that the situation is inflicting severe psychological trauma on their families, colleagues and the wider school community.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan by the Oyo State NUT Chairman, Hassan Fatai, and Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union said the ordeal had become more troubling following the emergence of a video allegedly released by the kidnappers showing the victims in distress and pleading for their freedom.
According to the union, the development highlights the urgency of taking stronger measures to ensure the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.
“The union views this development as both heartbreaking, barbaric and unacceptable. No child or teacher deserves to endure such terror,” the statement read.
“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 stressed that the continued detention of the victims underscored the need for coordinated and intelligence-driven operations to secure their release.
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“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 statement added.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by government authorities and security operatives, the NUT insisted that time was running out and that every moment spent in captivity increased the victims’ suffering.
“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 union said.
The teachers’ body further urged authorities to strengthen surveillance operations, improve community-based intelligence gathering and deploy all available operational and diplomatic strategies to secure the release of the victims.
It also appealed to community leaders and residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the kidnappers and rescuing those held captive.
Reaffirming its commitment to the safety of schools across the state, the union declared solidarity with the affected families and called for urgent action to prevent educational institutions from becoming targets of criminal attacks.
“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.
