Key points
- President Bola Tinubu approves recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and orders intensified rescue operations for abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
- Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) declares an indefinite strike in Oyo and plans nationwide solidarity rallies over the continued captivity of victims.
- Federal and state authorities face mounting pressure as families, religious groups and civil society organisations demand urgent action.
Main story
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue dozens of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) commenced an indefinite strike over the incident.
The presidential directive was conveyed on Sunday by a high-powered Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities, where the victims were kidnapped on May 15.
The delegation included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd); the representative of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and other senior government officials.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the forest guards will be recruited in partnership with the Oyo State Government as part of efforts to strengthen security around vulnerable forest corridors frequently exploited by kidnappers and criminal groups.
Gbajabiamila assured residents that President Tinubu was deeply concerned about the abductions and had directed security agencies to deploy all available resources to ensure the safe return of the victims.
He stated that the rescue operation would be intelligence-driven and would combine both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to avoid endangering the lives of the captives.
The abduction occurred when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities, seizing pupils and teachers before retreating into nearby forests.
The attack left a trail of tragedy, including the killing of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, while a motorcyclist and a security operative also lost their lives during subsequent rescue efforts.
The Federal Government delegation also visited the family of the slain teacher and conveyed the President’s condolences, pledging support for the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde, who visited affected communities on Saturday, appealed for unity and patience, urging residents not to politicise the rescue efforts. He disclosed that he had been holding security meetings daily since the incident and was working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the captives.
The issues
The abduction has once again exposed the growing vulnerability of schools in rural communities and renewed concerns over the safety of pupils, teachers and educational institutions across Nigeria.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that expansive forest reserves in parts of the country continue to provide safe havens for kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups.
The incident also highlights the broader challenge of protecting schools despite previous commitments under the Safe Schools Initiative and other government interventions.
Beyond security concerns, the prolonged captivity of pupils and teachers has disrupted education in the affected communities and heightened fears among parents and school administrators.
What’s being said
President Tinubu, through his representatives, has assured families that every available resource is being deployed to secure the safe release of the victims.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu described the abductors as “evil” and vowed that the Federal Government would not relent until those responsible were brought to justice.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the recruitment of forest guards forms part of a broader strategy to deny criminal elements access to forest hideouts and strengthen local intelligence gathering.
Traditional rulers in the affected communities have called for the establishment of a military base in Oriire Local Government Area, arguing that criminal groups continue to exploit the vast forest reserves in the area.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed outrage over the prolonged captivity of the victims, describing the conditions under which they are being held as inhumane and traumatic.
Religious leaders, civil society organisations and community stakeholders have also intensified calls for decisive government action, with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urging the United Nations to pay closer attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
What’s next
The indefinite strike declared by the NUT takes effect from June 1, 2026, with teachers across public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State expected to remain off duty until the victims are released.
The union has also scheduled nationwide solidarity rallies for June 2 to draw attention to the growing insecurity confronting schools and educational personnel across the country.
Security agencies are expected to intensify search-and-rescue operations, while the Federal Government considers requests from community leaders for the establishment of a military base in the area.
The newly approved recruitment of forest guards is also expected to commence in collaboration with the Oyo State Government.
Bottom line
The abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire has evolved into a national security and education crisis, prompting intervention from the Presidency, labour unions, religious groups and civil society organisations. While the deployment of 1,000 forest guards signals a stronger security response, pressure is mounting on authorities to secure the immediate release of the captives and restore public confidence in the safety of schools across Nigeria.
