Public school activities across Oriire Local Government of Oyo State have been disrupted following a directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) asking its members to stop work indefinitely over rising security concerns.
The union announced that teachers in all public schools within the council area should remain at home beginning from Tuesday, May 26, pending further directive from the leadership of the union.
The decision followed the recent abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in parts of the local government area, an incident that has sparked fear and anxiety among education workers and residents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the State Secretary of the union, Salami Olukayode, the NUT condemned the incident and expressed deep concern over the safety of teachers and learners in the affected communities.
Olukayode described the abduction as a tragic development that has created panic among teachers, noting that many members no longer feel safe reporting to duty under the present circumstances.
The union maintained that the withdrawal of services would continue until adequate security measures are put in place to guarantee the safety of teachers, students and other school workers in the area.
Parents and residents have meanwhile appealed to security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victims and restoring confidence in the affected communities.