PICTORIAL: Makinde Meets Protesting NUT, NANS, NLC Members, Assures Safe Return Of Abducted Pupils, Teachers

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, met with representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who staged a protest at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Ori-ire Local Government Area of the State.

The governor, who disclosed the meeting in a post on his verified Facebook page, said he listened to the concerns raised by the protesters and reassured them that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the kidnap victims.

“Today, we met with representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who led a protest to the Oyo State Secretariat Agodi, Ibadan,” he wrote.

“After listening to their concerns, I assured them that government at the national, state and local levels are working together to ensure the safe return of our children and teachers who were abducted in Oriire LGA,” Makinde said.

He added that his administration remained committed to the protection of lives and property across the State.

“I said that we will continue to prioritise the safety and well-being of residents of our dear state, and that we are open to feedback regarding the security of Oyo State,” the governor stated.

The protest followed a directive by the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, which led to the closure of public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State on Tuesday as teachers joined a nationwide demonstration against the prolonged captivity of the abducted pupils and teachers.

The protest also coincided with demonstrations in parts of Oyo and Ogun States, where residents, labour activists and civil society organisations demanded the immediate release of the victims and called on governments at all levels to strengthen efforts to address growing insecurity.

LEADERSHIP reports that the victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The incident, which saw several pupils and teachers taken captive, has continued to generate widespread condemnation and concern across the country following the murder of two teachers.

Following the NUT directive, academic activities were suspended in public schools across all 33 local government areas of Oyo State.

In several parts of the state, including Moniya, Ojoo and Otun Agba-Agbakin in Akinyele Local Government Area; Agbowo, Bodija and Sango in Ibadan North; Beere, Oja’ba and Molete in Ibadan South East; Orita Challenge and New Garage in Ibadan South West; as well as Odo-Ona and Alao-Akala Way in Oluyole Local Government Area of the State, pupils, who had prepared for school, were asked to remain at home after news of the strike spread on Tuesday morning.

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