National News – President has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The directive came as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) commenced an indefinite strike across Oyo State and announced plans for nationwide solidarity rallies demanding the safe release of the victims.
A Federal Government delegation led by the President’s Chief of Staff, , visited the affected Esiele and Yawota communities on Sunday, conveying the President’s assurances and renewed commitment to securing the release of the abductees.
Other members of the delegation included the National Security Adviser, , Defence Minister , Inspector-General of Police , and the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, .
Addressing residents, Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu was deeply disturbed by the incident and had directed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe return of the victims.
He assured the communities that the rescue operation would be intelligence-driven and carefully coordinated, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to safeguard the lives of those in captivity.
The delegation also informed residents that their request for the establishment of a military base in Oriire had been forwarded to the President for consideration.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers.
During the attack, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives.
Ribadu assured the affected communities that the Federal Government would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice and rescuing the victims.
Defence Minister Musa disclosed that the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards would be carried out in collaboration with the Oyo State Government to strengthen security around forested areas often used as hideouts by criminal groups.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, urging residents not to politicise the crisis or apportion blame between the state and federal governments.
NUT Begins Indefinite Strike
In response to the prolonged captivity of the victims, the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely from June 1.
In a circular jointly signed by NUT National President and Secretary-General Dr. Clinton Ikpitibo, the union described the conditions under which the abducted teachers and pupils were being held as horrifying and inhumane.
The union said the strike would continue until all abducted teachers and learners are safely released.
It also directed all state chapters nationwide to organise solidarity rallies on June 2, culminating at various Government Houses across the country to demand improved protection for schools, teachers and learners.
The Oyo State wing of the union confirmed full compliance with the directive, noting that the continued captivity of the victims had created fear and anxiety within the education sector.
NAPPS Rejects Planned Protest
However, the Oyo State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) distanced itself from the planned rallies.
In a statement signed by its president, , the association urged members not to participate, insisting that dialogue and engagement with relevant authorities remained the best approach to addressing insecurity in schools.
SERAP Seeks UN Intervention
Also reacting to the worsening security situation, the called on to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter and bring Nigeria’s growing insecurity before the United Nations Security Council.
SERAP argued that the persistent abductions, killings and displacement of civilians across several states posed a threat to regional and international peace and security.
Baptist Convention Raises Alarm
The also expressed concern over the abduction, describing the incident as heartbreaking, particularly because a two-year-old child was among those kidnapped.
Convention President, , urged traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society organisations to play more active roles in tackling insecurity and renewed calls for the establishment of state police as part of long-term security reforms.
The convention commiserated with the families of those killed during the attack and expressed hope for the safe return of all abducted pupils and teachers.
