NUT Oyo Suspends School Resumption as Teachers, Schoolchildren Mark 39 Days in Captivity
After 39 days in captivity, abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno States remain unaccounted for, deepening national concern over rising insecurity in Nigeria’s education sector.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has rejected school resumption, insisting that learning activities will remain suspended until adequate security measures are implemented.
The union stated that fear, psychological distress, and the continued captivity of affected persons have made classrooms unsafe for both teachers and learners. It is demanding urgent rescue efforts and long-term reforms such as increased patrols in vulnerable communities and collaboration with local security outfits.
The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed viral claims suggesting that abducted persons were moved to another state by helicopter, describing the report as false and misleading. Authorities maintain that joint security operations are ongoing to secure the safe return of all affected persons and warn against misinformation that could disrupt rescue efforts.
In Borno State, families of abducted schoolchildren continue to wait anxiously, with limited public updates on progress. The situation reflects ongoing risks faced by schools in conflict-prone areas despite continued security interventions.
The twin incidents have reignited concerns about school safety across Nigeria, with stakeholders warning that prolonged insecurity could further disrupt education and discourage school attendance, especially in rural areas.
