–NUT Begins Indefinitely Strike

–Tinubu Approves 1,000 forest guards recruit

–Protest slated across states Tuesday

As a fall out of the May 15, 2026 abduction of teachers, pupils and students in Oyo state, President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State.

He also directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

While in their anger, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in the State and announced plans for nationwide solidarity rallies to press the government to expedite action to rescue all the kidnapped learners and teachers.

A statement signed on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said a high-powered Federal Government delegation submitted the presidential directives to community leaders and lawmakers during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

The delegation also informed leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been transmitted to the President for consideration and approval.

The victims have remained in captivity for 16 days after gunmen struck communities in the area taking away dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers, including a toddler identified as Christianah Akanbi,

The President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, led the delegation consisting of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu; Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (retd); and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, Onanuga said.

Addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release.

“Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely.

“He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” Gbajabiamila said.

He also addressed the appeals from parents and community members urging caution in the rescue operation.

The Chief of Staff explained, “Mr President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts.

“Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims.

“Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms.”

The delegation also called on the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, at his palace to commiserate with the traditional ruler and his people.

They also held separate visits to the widow of the slain teacher, Mrs Mary Oyedokun, and her two children where Gbajabiamila delivered the President’s personal condolences to the family and promised that they would not be left to suffer.

The 1,000 forest guards approved by the President will be recruited in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, Onanuga revealed.

The May 15, 2026, abductions were carried out by armed men who attacked three schools; Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, taking pupils, students and teachers, including a two-yesr infant, captive.

A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded during the attack while a motorcyclist was also killed, and a security personnel died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts.

The Oriire LGA communities live on the fringes of a forested belt that the abductors have exploited for cover since the attack.

The National Security Adviser, Ribadu, assured that no stone would be left unturned the secure the release of victims.

“We share in your pains and agonies. The perpetrators of this dastardly act are evil.

“The kidnapping of a two-year-old infant is nothing but evil.

“The Federal Government will ensure that an end is brought to this inglorious act nationwide,” he said.

Defence Minister Musa echoed the President’s commitment on the forest guards and called on local communities to collaborate actively with security forces.

“Like the Chief of Staff said, President Tinubu has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest rangers in Oyo. Other security requests by the people will be looked into.”

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, who earlier spoke on behalf of the community, attributed the recurring abductions in the area to the expansive forest reserves that armed groups continue to exploit as cover.

“The kidnappers are taking advantage of the vast forest reserve in the area to perpetrate evil. We need a military base in Oriire.

“Also, the government must do something about the mobile network service in the area,” the monarch added.

Days after the attack, videos later emerged showing the abducted school principal and a teacher making emotional appeals to President Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde and Nigerians to help secure their release, with the captives indicating they were being held in harsh conditions and inclement weather.

Makinde visited Ahoro Esiele and met with families of the victims in Saturday at L.A. Basic School where he appealed for understanding, urging communities not to trade blame between the state and federal governments.

“Don’t cry. I have come here because of you. You installed this government. I want to let you know that this government is responsible to you.

“By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.

“This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and federal government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers. I feel your pain, but have trust in us.”

The Governor said he had been holding security meetings twice daily since the abduction occurred and was working closely with security agencies to facilitate the victims’ safe return.

He commended the Western Security Network, Amotekun, whose operatives had lost lives in combating security challenges across the state.

Husband of the abducted school principal, Professor Wole Alamu, made an appeals directly to Makinde as well as Mrs Funmilayo Ojo, whose daughter-in-law and four grandchildren are among the captives.

Mr Aliu Saidi, a relative of one of the victims, pleaded for the government to do everything possible to secure the return of their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo Sunday directed all teachers in public primary and secondary schools to down tools indefinitely beginning Monday (today), June 1, 2026, citing the failure to free victims via a circular jointly signed by NUT National President Audu Amba and Secretary-General Dr Clinton J. Ikpitibo.

The lunion expressed deep concern over the “horrifying, inhumane and traumatic conditions” being endured by the victims in captivity.

“The National Leadership has directed all Primary and Secondary School teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday, 1st June, 2026, until the abducted teachers and students are safely released,” the statement read.

The union said it was particularly disturbed by reports of killings among the captives, as well as the emotional video appeals made by the school principal and a teacher from inside their captors’ den.

It said the prolonged captivity, with no clear indication of imminent rescue, left it with no choice but to act.

The union further directed all its state chapters nationwide to organise solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, terminating at various Government Houses across the country, where state leaderships of the NUT would address journalists on the need for improved protection of schools, teachers and learners.

“As a mark of solidarity, the national leadership has directed all state wings of the union to embark on solidarity rallies on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, to press home our demand for the unconditional release of the teachers and learners kidnapped in Oyo and other states of the federation.”

The NUT pledged to continue pursuing all lawful means to secure the release of the victims and renewed its call on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward the immediate and unconditional release of all captives.

Speaking with the press on Sunday, Amba, confirmed the directive, saying teachers had been instructed to stay at home until further notice.

“We have directed all teachers in Oyo State to remain at home starting from Monday” the NUT National President said the circular dated May 29, 2026, and jointly signed by Amba and the Secretary General, Clinton Ikpitibo, formally conveyed the directive to state chapters of the union…

Meanwhile, the Oyo State wing of the NUT has confirmed full complianve in a circular dated May 31, 2026, and signed by State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, formally announcing the withdrawal of services by teachers in public schools across the state.

The state wing called members to be law-abiding, stay safe at home while engagements continue with relevant authorities for the safe return of the abductees.

It also reaffirmed solidarity with victims and their families, calling for urgent and decisive action to address insecurity in schools.

But the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Oyo State chapter, has not backed the planned protest rally in a statement signed by its president, Fajobi Olukunle. It urged its members not to be involved in any form.

NAPPS acknowledged insecurity affecting schools and communities, saying they be addressed through dialogue, engagement and collaboration with relevant authorities rather than street protests suspecting “political considerations than genuine humanitarian concerns,” adding that key education stakeholders like NUT, TESCOM and others were not formally involved.

On its part, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter and bring Nigeria’s worsening insecurity to the attention of the UN Security Council.

In its open letter of May 30, 2026, signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, marked by mass abductions, killings, attacks on civilians, mass displacement and other grave human rights violations, now requires urgent international attention.

“Nigeria’s escalating insecurity and grave human rights violations are reflected in repeated abductions, killings, attacks on civilians, and mass displacement in Oyo, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and several other parts of the country.

“The scale, persistence, and regional implications of the insecurity and grave human rights crisis in Nigeria pose a threat to international peace and security and risk aggravating existing threats in the region.”

SERAP added:

“Article 99 of the UN Charter is designed precisely for situations in which emerging or ongoing crises require urgent preventive diplomacy, sustained international scrutiny, and coordinated international action.”

In a similar development, the Nigerian Baptist Convention has urged traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society groups to take more active roles in addressing insecurity across the country, following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The President of the Convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, made the call in a statement on Saturday while reacting to the kidnapping of seven teachers and 39 students from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

Akanji said the incident is heartbreaking, especially given that a two-year-old child, identified as Christianah Akanbi, was among those abducted.

“The Nigerian Baptist Convention is particularly grieved by the condition of the children and the toddler who are being held captive in the bush and exposed daily to rainfall and harsh weather without any shelter or cover,” he said.

The Baptist leader lamented the worsening security situation in the country, noting that churches and schools had continued to come under repeated attacks despite calls for decisive government action.

He recalled the 2021 abduction of 121 students and staff of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State, describing the latest incident as another painful reminder of the growing vulnerability of educational institutions.

“Despite repeated calls and efforts to end these incessant abductions, killings and destruction of churches and property, the situation continues to worsen rather than improve. Nigerians, particularly the Church, are running out of patience and cannot continue to watch while lives and properties are being wasted daily,” Akanji said.

He advised that:
“Local ownership of security is critical at this time. Traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society leaders must rise forcefully against this menace so that the burden does not rest on government alone.”

While renewing the call for state police, the cleric further urged the Federal Government to explore international cooperation where necessary to curb the influx and operations of criminal elements.

The Convention commiserated with families of those killed in the attack and expressed hope for the safe return of all abducted victims.