Oyo schools will stay shut until security improves — NUT

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has said public schools in the state will remain closed until the government puts effective security measures in place to guarantee the safety of teachers and students.

The decision follows the union’s indefinite strike action after the abduction of more than 40 students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday, the union’s secretary, Mr Olukayode Salami, said schools could only reopen when adequate steps had been taken to restore confidence among teachers, parents and learners.

Salami explained that the withdrawal of teachers from classrooms was driven by worsening insecurity, including the killing of two teachers and the continued captivity of those abducted.

He said the situation had created widespread fear and anxiety among both teachers and students, with some parents already removing their children from school.

“As much as we have casualties among learners in terms of abduction, we have higher casualties among teachers because two of them were killed.

“The continuous detention of victims in captivity is another factor of concern to all of us.

“The emotion, tension and panic in society also contributed to the decision because classrooms were no longer safe and teachers were not psychologically stable to carry out their duties,” he said.

The union secretary stated that the NUT did not immediately embark on strike after the abduction but later acted when it became clear that security conditions had not improved.

He noted that the union outlined specific conditions for ending the closure of schools, including the safe release of those kidnapped and the introduction of measures to prevent similar incidents.

“The condition we attached was for government to intensify efforts and ensure the safe rescue of these people.

“Secondly, government must put measures in place that can guard against such occurrences.

“No condition is permanent and no decision is permanent.

“Once meaningful measures are put in place, there will be a need to review the position and see how we can collectively move forward,” the secretary said.

Salami stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and should not be turned into targets by criminals.

“If anybody has a grievance against government, such persons should address it with government and not resort to attacking schools and innocent people who are not responsible for any offence,” he said.

He further revealed that the NUT and other stakeholders recently held extensive discussions with government officials on ways to tackle the security challenges confronting schools.

According to him, the meetings produced a communiqué and a set of action plans which have already been forwarded to the government for implementation.

“We are waiting for the implementation of those action plans, especially those requiring immediate action.

“Schools and classrooms cannot remain shut forever, but we need to see signs that will restore confidence in society for us to return to work,” he said.

Salami called for stronger security presence across vulnerable communities in the state, saying visible patrols would help reassure residents and deter criminal elements.

ALSO READ: Your call for Tinubu’s resignation childish, Presidency blasts Peter Obi

He also advocated the creation of joint security teams involving conventional security agencies as well as local security groups such as hunters and vigilantes.

The union secretary added that local government areas bordering forests and other high-risk locations should have dedicated security formations carrying out routine patrols and intelligence gathering.

“If we begin to see security patrols across every nook and cranny of the state, especially vulnerable areas, it will send a signal that government is addressing the situation.

“There should be no room for criminality. Once confidence and peace of mind are restored, people will be able to go about their normal activities, including teaching and learning,” he said.

Salami maintained that the responsibility for ensuring security lies with the government, which has the manpower, resources and authority to deploy security personnel where necessary.

He urged authorities to address the situation without delay to protect education and safeguard the public.

(NAN)