Residents of Oyo State have staged protests, calling for the immediate release of scores of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area.
The demonstrations followed a directive by the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), mandating public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to begin an indefinite strike from June 1 over the security situation.
The strike comes more than two weeks after armed attackers carried out coordinated assaults on three schools in the Ogbomoso axis on May 15. The affected schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele.
During the attacks, the gunmen reportedly abducted 39 pupils, including children as young as two years old, as well as seven teachers. Among those kidnapped was Mrs. Rachael Alamu, Principal of Community High School, Esiele.
Residents and concerned stakeholders have continued to urge authorities to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the victims and improve security in schools across the state.