Teachers in Oyo State on Friday, May 29, 2026, staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan and Ogbomoso over the abduction of their colleagues and several pupils during recent attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The protest followed the May 15, 2026, invasion of schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities in Ogbomoso, where heavily armed gunmen reportedly stormed classrooms and abducted teachers and students. The attackers were said to have arrived on motorcycles and operated for hours before fleeing into nearby forests.
Schools affected during the attack included Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. During the incident, an assistant headmaster identified as Joel Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were reportedly killed, while several teachers and pupils were taken away by the kidnappers.
The latest protest was organised by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and supported by the Nigeria Teachers’ Congress and civil society organisations. Protesters marched through major roads carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children,” “Schools Are No Longer Safe,” and “Stop Killing Teachers.”
The demonstration began at the Iwo Road axis of Ibadan on Friday morning before moving towards the Oyo State Secretariat, where protesters demanded urgent intervention from both the state and federal governments. Security personnel monitored the protest as teachers chanted solidarity songs and called for improved security in schools across the state.
Speaking during the protest, National President of the Nigeria Teachers’ Congress, Reverend Bunmi Thomas, said teachers could no longer continue working under fear and insecurity. He described the protest as necessary and lawful, urging authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that seven teachers were abducted during the attacks, while investigations into the exact number of missing pupils were ongoing. The governor also disclosed that some suspects linked to the incident had been arrested.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Oyo State, with many residents expressing concern over the growing insecurity affecting schools and rural communities.
