NUT: Oyo Public Schools Won’t Reopen Without Stronger Security Measures
Oyo State public schools will remain closed until the government takes concrete steps to improve security and restore confidence among teachers, students and parents, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has said. The union embarked on an indefinite strike following the abduction of more than 40 students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, an incident that further heightened concerns over the safety of schools across the state. Speaking in Ibadan on Tuesday, NUT Secretary, Olukayode Salami, said the decision to suspend academic activities was driven by growing insecurity, including the killing of two teachers and the continued captivity of those abducted during the attack. According to him, the incidents have created fear and uncertainty among teachers and learners, while some parents have also begun withdrawing their children from schools over safety concerns. Salami explained that the union did not immediately resort to industrial action after the abduction but took the step when it became evident that the security situation had not improved sufficiently. He stated that the union's primary demands include the safe rescue of those still being held captive and the implementation of effective measures to prevent future attacks on schools.
"Our position is not permanent. Once meaningful security measures are put in place and confidence is restored, there will be a need to review the situation and determine the way forward," he said. The union leader stressed that schools should remain safe spaces for learning and should never become targets for criminal activities. He urged authorities to intensify security operations across vulnerable communities and establish joint security patrols involving conventional security agencies, hunters and local vigilante groups. Salami also called for dedicated security formations in local government areas bordering forests and other high-risk locations, noting that regular patrols and intelligence gathering would help deter criminal activities and reassure residents. While acknowledging that schools cannot remain shut indefinitely, he maintained that the responsibility for ensuring security rests with the government. He urged authorities to treat the matter with urgency to safeguard both education and public safety in the state.
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