Civil society groups on Monday staged a protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, intensifying calls for urgent action to secure the victims’ release.

The demonstration comes days after teachers in Ogbomoso, where the kidnapping occurred, embarked on a protest demanding decisive intervention from the authorities over the fate of those still being held captive.

The protesters marched through parts of Ibadan carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as, “Every Life Matters, Stop the Kidnappers,” “47 Abducted, Scared and Alone,” and “Stand Up! Speak Out!”

The abduction in Oriire Local Government Area has continued to generate widespread concern among education stakeholders, parents, and residents across Oyo State.

Last Monday, teachers in Ogbomoso suspended classroom activities and staged a peaceful march to the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) office in protest against the abduction of pupils and teachers, an incident that also resulted in the death of one teacher.

A week after the teachers’ protest, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday, 1 June 2026, until further notice.

According to the directive issued by the union’s national leadership, the strike is in protest against the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release, the union said, “remain uncertain”.

The union argued that the prolonged captivity 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.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Hassan Fatai, the union said the industrial action was “aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay”.

The union urged teachers across the state to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their homes throughout the duration of the strike.

It also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils, and their families, stressing that lawful engagement with relevant government authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue team following the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday following the visit of a Federal Government delegation to the Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where pupils and teachers were abducted from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on 15 May 2026.

“As part of immediate measures to strengthen security in the area, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government.

“The delegation also informed community leaders and lawmakers that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be conveyed to the President for consideration and approval,” the statement read in part.

The President also directed the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

The delegation conveyed President Tinubu’s deep concern over the incident and reaffirmed his commitment to securing the safe return of the victims.