State government urges teachers to resume classes while assuring progress in efforts to rescue abducted victims and strengthen school security after the Oriire tragedy

The Oyo State Executive Council on Wednesday appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to end the ongoing Oyo Schools Closure and allow pupils to return to classrooms, assuring residents that efforts to resolve the security crisis triggered by the abduction of teachers and schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area were yielding results.

The appeal was made in Ibadan by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, following the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday.

The NUT had directed teachers in public schools across the state to stay away from classrooms after gunmen abducted 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers, from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.

The attack targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, leaving one teacher, Joel Adesiyan, dead. Another victim, Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity, with a video of the execution circulating widely on social media.

The tragedy sparked outrage across Oyo State and prompted the teachers’ union to suspend classroom activities until stronger security measures are introduced to protect teachers and learners.

Speaking after the council meeting, Oyelade acknowledged the concerns raised by the union but urged stakeholders to consider the broader consequences of keeping schools shut.

“While the reasons for the withdrawal of the students from school by the NUT are understandable, the collateral implications, both social and economic, are raising unintended concerns and should equally be considered by the NUT,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that the government was pursuing strategic interventions aimed at bringing the Oriire kidnapping crisis to a successful conclusion.

Although he did not provide specific details about ongoing rescue operations, Oyelade reassured residents that authorities remained committed to securing the freedom of those still in captivity.

The NUT had earlier maintained that schools would only reopen when adequate security arrangements were put in place.

The union’s secretary, Olukayode Salami, said the decision was driven by growing fears among teachers following the killing of two colleagues and the continued detention of abducted victims.

According to Salami, restoring confidence among teachers, parents and pupils requires visible and effective security measures around schools and vulnerable communities.

As part of efforts to strengthen the education sector, the Executive Council approved the release of N8.77 billion as the first tranche of funding for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

The allocation forms part of a larger N23.01 billion education project to provide textbooks in literacy, numeracy, mathematics, English language and basic science under a programme supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission and the World Bank.

Oyelade said successful implementation of the initiative would qualify Oyo State for a performance-based incentive under the programme.

“Upon the successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State becomes eligible for a reward-based disbursement of two United States Dollars ($2) per student per subject, in line with the project’s results-based financing arrangement,” he said.

In another significant development, the council approved a supplementary budget for 2026, increasing the state’s spending plan from N892.09 billion to N1.102 trillion.

The commissioner explained that several ministries, departments and agencies requested additional funding to ensure the completion of critical projects before the end of the current administration in 2027.

The council also approved a payment of $250,000 to support the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) programmes in the state.

According to Oyelade, the AfCFTA Secretariat had commended Governor Seyi Makinde for progress made in positioning Oyo as a destination for investment, industrialisation, agribusiness and export-oriented enterprises.

As a secondary highlight, the council approved N5.91 billion for the 2026 implementation of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme, which was introduced in 2023 to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal on residents.

The programme provides support through transportation subsidies, food distribution, health insurance coverage and assistance for small businesses.

“Council was convinced that this assistance should continue because the hardship being experienced by citizens has not abated,” Oyelade said.

The council also congratulated Governor Makinde following the qualification of Shooting Stars Sports Club for continental football competition for the first time in 27 years.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command denied reports circulating online that the Elesinele of Esinele, High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, had been invited for questioning over the Oriire school abductions.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso Ayanlade, the command described the report as false and misleading.

“At no time was the said traditional ruler invited for questioning in relation to the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.

The police alleged that the report formed part of a deliberate misinformation campaign designed to create tension and undermine ongoing rescue operations.

The command reiterated its commitment to securing the release of the remaining abducted victims and bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice.

Police also appealed to residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information through established channels.

The Oriire abductions have become one of the most disturbing attacks on educational institutions in Oyo State in recent years, raising fresh concerns about school safety and the growing threat posed by criminal groups targeting vulnerable rural communities.

As negotiations continue between the government and the NUT, thousands of pupils remain out of school, with parents hoping that improved security measures and progress in rescue efforts will pave the way for classrooms to reopen and academic activities to resume.