By Bukola Hameed
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has issued a follow-up statement expressing deepening concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during the tragic attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities within the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Days after our initial public outcry, the situation has grown increasingly distressing. A new and deeply disturbing video released by the abductors shows our colleagues in traumatic conditions, pleading for their urgent release.
In a joint statement, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai (Chairman) and Comrade Salami Olukayode (Secretary) of the NUT Oyo State Wing declared:
”The Union views this development as heartbreaking, barbaric, and utterly unacceptable. No child or educator deserves to endure such terror. Their prolonged captivity continues to inflict profound psychological trauma on their families, the immediate school communities, and the entire teaching profession.
We hereby call for expedited, decisive action from the government and all relevant security agencies. This is not a time for hesitation; it demands a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of all abducted pupils and teachers.
While the NUT acknowledges the ongoing interventions by the government and security forces, we emphasize that time is of the essence. Every additional minute these innocent victims spend in captivity deepens their trauma and severely jeopardizes their physical and emotional well-being.
We urge the authorities to intensify surveillance, strengthen community intelligence, deploy all necessary operational resources, and explore strategic diplomatic approaches to secure their release without further delay. Furthermore, we appeal to local leaders, community stakeholders, and citizens to assist security agencies with credible information that could aid rescue efforts. The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority.
The Union stands firmly in solidarity with the families of the abductees, offering our prayers during this agonizing period. We remain unyielding in our commitment to ensuring that our schools are safe havens, never battlegrounds. We demand swift, responsive action and an unwavering resolve from all authorities involved.”