The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has intensified calls for the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers abducted during the recent terrorist attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, warning that prolonged captivity is worsening the trauma suffered by victims and their families.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the Oyo State chapter of the union described the continued detention of the schoolchildren and teachers as a national tragedy that requires urgent and coordinated intervention from security agencies and government authorities.
The statement, jointly signed by the State Chairman of the union, Hassan Fatai, and the State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating emotional and psychological condition of the victims, particularly following the circulation of a disturbing video allegedly released by the abductors.
According to the union, the footage showing the kidnapped pupils and teachers in distress has heightened fears among parents, educators, and members of the public, while exposing the harsh realities faced by the victims in captivity.
“The union views this development as heartbreaking, barbaric, and completely unacceptable. No child or teacher deserves to experience such terror and suffering,” the statement read.
NUT noted that the prolonged captivity of the victims continues to inflict severe psychological pain on their families, school communities, and the entire teaching profession, stressing that every additional day in captivity compounds the trauma.
The union acknowledged ongoing rescue efforts by the Oyo State Government and security agencies but insisted that more decisive and accelerated actions are needed to secure the safe return of the abducted victims.
“This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for urgent, coordinated, and intelligence-driven action. Time is of the essence, and every additional minute these innocent victims spend in the hands of their abductors deepens concerns about their safety, welfare, and emotional well-being,” the union stated.
NUT further called on security agencies to intensify surveillance operations, strengthen intelligence gathering, and deploy every available operational strategy to facilitate the swift rescue of the victims.
The union also urged community leaders, traditional rulers, and residents within affected areas to collaborate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing rescue operations.
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of learners and educators, NUT stressed that schools must remain safe spaces dedicated to learning and development, rather than becoming targets of violence and insecurity.
“We remain committed to ensuring that schools remain safe havens and not battlegrounds. The safety of every learner and teacher must remain a national priority,” the statement added.
The appeal comes amid growing public outrage over the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where terrorists invaded educational institutions and abducted scores of pupils, students, and teachers, raising fresh concerns about the security of schools across Nigeria.
As anxiety continues to mount among affected families, the union urged authorities to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that the abducted pupils and teachers return home safely and that confidence in the safety of Nigeria’s schools is restored.
