• NUT orders nationwide solidarity rallies over abducted teachers, pupils
• Tinubu approves 1,000 forest guards, considers military base
• Makinde: Over 200 Amotekun operatives killed fighting insecurity
• Oyo APC asks gov to resign over comments on security limitations
• Afenifere warns bandits better armed than Amotekun operatives
• Sowore threatens protest at Aso Rock over abducted schoolchildren
• Remi Tinubu assures Nigerians of stronger security, foreign support
• Group accuses opposition of exploiting insecurity for political gains

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to begin an indefinite strike today over the continued captivity of teachers and students abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The union also directed its state wings across the country to organise solidarity rallies tomorrow to demand the unconditional release of the abducted teachers and learners.

In a circular jointly signed by the National President of the union, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, and the Secretary General, Dr Clinton J. Ikpitibo, the NUT expressed concern over what it described as the horrifying, inhumane and traumatic conditions being endured by the abducted teachers and students since their abduction on May 15, 2026.

The union lamented that despite previous appeals to government and security agencies to secure the release of the victims, they remained in captivity, while reports emerging from the kidnappers’ den continued to generate anxiety among teachers, parents and members of the public.

According to the statement, the union was particularly disturbed by reports of the killing of some victims as well as emotional appeals allegedly made by the abducted school principal and a teacher calling on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, the NUT, ANCOPSS and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure their release.

The NUT stated that the prolonged captivity of the teachers and learners, coupled with the absence of any clear indication of their imminent rescue, informed its decision to direct teachers in Oyo State to suspend academic activities until the victims regain their freedom.

Tinubu approves recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo after school abduction
THE strike came as President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team following the abduction.

The measures were announced yesterday when a high-powered Federal Government delegation visited Esiele and Yawota communities, where armed men raided Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026, abducting pupils and teachers.

The delegation conveyed President Tinubu’s concern over the incident and reassured residents of his administration’s commitment to securing the safe return of the victims.

As part of efforts to strengthen security in the affected communities and surrounding forests, the President approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in partnership with the Oyo State Government.

The delegation also informed community leaders and lawmakers that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area would be transmitted to the President for consideration.

In addition, Tinubu directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify ongoing operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Addressing residents in English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said Tinubu’s decision to dispatch top security officials to the affected communities reflected the administration’s determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release.

Responding to appeals from parents and community leaders urging caution in the rescue mission, he said security agencies would rely on intelligence-driven strategies to safeguard the lives of the victims.

The delegation also paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to sympathise with the monarch and residents of the area over the incident.

They later visited Mrs Mary Oyedokun, widow of the slain schoolteacher, and her two children.

Members of the delegation include National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; and Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa.

Makinde says over 200 Amotekun operatives killed fighting insecurity in Oyo
MEANWHILE, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed that more than 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, have lost their lives in the fight against insecurity in the state.

Makinde disclosed this during a visit to the families of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on May 15.

The governor appealed for unity in efforts to secure the release of the victims, stressing that the situation required collaboration among all levels of government rather than blame-trading.

“This is not the time to trade blame, whether it is the federal government, the state government or local government. This is the time to come together and rescue our children and their teachers,” he said.

Makinde assured the affected families that his administration would continue to deploy every available resource towards ensuring the safe return of the abductees.

He also sympathised with the families of victims and security personnel who lost their lives while protecting lives and property.

“For the Amotekun Corps, we have lost over 200 operatives. People may not know the sacrifices they make. They go into dangerous situations and many do not return. May God help us put an end to the bloodshed in our state and country,” the governor said.

Makinde noted that while residents had expressed frustration over prevailing security challenges, the government remained committed to addressing the situation through sustained collaboration with security agencies.

The governor reiterated his support for the creation of state police, describing Amotekun as a temporary response to growing security concerns in the absence of a constitutional framework for state policing.

Speaking earlier at the joint mega rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan, Makinde said the South-West states established Amotekun after efforts to secure approval for state police failed to materialise.

“We wanted state police. Since it was not forthcoming, we created Amotekun as a stop-gap measure to support existing security structures,” he said.

The governor urged the Federal Government to take concrete steps towards addressing security challenges across the country, stressing that effective policing requires localised solutions and stronger community participation.

Oyo APC asks Makinde to resign over insecurity comments
HOWEVER, the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked Makinde to resign from office if he believes he lacks the constitutional powers and security apparatus required to protect residents of the state.

In a statement issued yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC described the governor’s remarks as an admission of failure and evidence of what it termed “cluelessness, insincerity and criminal ineptitude” in the handling of security challenges confronting the state.

The party argued that Makinde willingly swore to uphold the Constitution and protect lives and property when he assumed office and should therefore not shift responsibility over insecurity.

“With his latest comments, Governor Makinde has again exposed the contradictions in his leadership. If he truly believes he lacks the capacity or authority to guarantee the security of residents, then the honourable thing to do is to resign and allow his deputy to complete the remaining period of the administration,” the statement read.

Afenifere raises alarm as bandits outgun Amotekun
STILL on insecurity in the region, South-West socio-political group, Afenifere, called on governors in the region to strengthen the Amotekun Corps, saying the outfit remains poorly equipped to confront the growing threat posed by bandits and other criminal elements.

Contrary to the belief that poor intelligence gathering was responsible for recent security breaches, Afenifere argued that intelligence had been available but was not effectively acted upon. The group maintained that Amotekun operatives are less equipped in terms of arms and ammunition than the bandits they are expected to confront.

Speaking with The Guardian, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, recalled that a few months ago, when about five forest guards were killed in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the group warned that the incident was a signal of the sinister plans being hatched by bandits.

“We warned then that the incident was a clear indication of what the bandits were planning, but nobody took us seriously,” he said.

Beyond the issue of inadequate equipment, Ajayi stressed the need to increase the personnel strength of the Amotekun Corps. He argued that the current workforce is insufficient to effectively secure the region. He also called for improved welfare packages, including comprehensive life insurance coverage for operatives.

Ajayi questioned the outcome of the recent South-West Security Summit held in Ibadan, wondering whether such gatherings have translated into concrete action. He added that the security equipment Governor Seyi Makinde claimed to have procured for surveillance and monitoring purposes could have helped prevent some of the recent incidents if properly deployed.

He also advocated stronger synergy between Amotekun and conventional security agencies, particularly the police. According to him, there have been several instances in which suspected bandits travelling in lorries loaded with arms and ammunition were arrested on their way into Yorubaland, yet little or nothing was heard about their prosecution.

Overall, Ajayi said the worsening insecurity across Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole has once again underscored the need for the establishment of state police.

Two years ago, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, raised the alarm over worsening insecurity across the South-West and warned that “darkness looms” over the region.

Many of the fears he expressed have largely gone unaddressed by governors in the zone.

In a strongly worded letter dated February 7, 2024, with copies sent to South-West governors, traditional rulers and key stakeholders, Adams warned that Yorubaland was facing an unprecedented security threat from kidnappers, bandits and armed criminals operating across the region.

The letter was written in the wake of the killing of traditional rulers in Ekiti and Kwara states, incidents that sent shockwaves across the South-West and heightened fears over the growing audacity of criminal gangs.

Describing the situation as a direct threat to the survival of the Yoruba people, Adams lamented what he called the creeping invasion of communities by criminal elements. He warned that farmers were abandoning their farms, while residents increasingly feared travelling on major highways.

Sowore threatens protest at Aso Rock over abducted Oyo schoolchildren
ALSO, human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, threatened to occupy the Presidential Villa if abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State are not rescued.

Sowore made the threat in a post on X yesterday, urging President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security chiefs to act swiftly to secure the release of the victims and other kidnapped persons.

“If Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his service chiefs fail to track down and secure the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and other kidnapped people, we will have no choice but to occupy Aso Rock Villa this week!” he wrote.

Remi Tinubu assures Nigerians of stronger measures against insecurity
IN a related development, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, assured Nigerians of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to securing lives and property through stronger internal security measures and strategic partnerships with developed countries.

The First Lady gave the assurance on Saturday during an engagement with traditional rulers in Ekiti State at Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, during her one-day working visit to the state.

Addressing the monarchs, Mrs Tinubu described the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and killings across the country as disheartening, adding that the President remained committed to making Nigeria safe for all citizens.

She disclosed that the Federal Government was collaborating with countries such as the United States and other developed nations to tackle insecurity and combat criminal elements operating in the country.

According to her, several internal security measures are also being implemented to address the challenge, although some details could not be made public.

Tinubu thanked the traditional rulers for their support for President Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, saying such backing had encouraged both leaders to remain committed to good governance.

“It is disheartening that we have this insecurity. A lot of foreign countries are helping our nation. The U.S. and some other developed countries are helping us in this matter. Some of those terrorising us are non-Nigerians. No matter what happens, we shall overcome. Nigeria is too great to be intimidated,” she said.

Group accuses opposition of exploiting insecurity to undermine Tinubu
ALSO, a civic organisation, Democracy Watch Frontiers (DWF), condemned what it described as opposition-sponsored protests aimed at undermining the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying such actions exploit the suffering of victims of insecurity for political purposes.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the group’s Publicity Secretary, Danjuma Ahmed, warned Nigerians against attempts to manipulate public opinion ahead of the 2027 general elections through misinformation and emotionally charged narratives.

According to the organisation, some political actors are deliberately seeking to discredit the government by exploiting security challenges and other national concerns for partisan advantage.

DWF alleged that similar tactics were used during previous election cycles, particularly in the lead-up to the 2015 general elections, when coordinated campaigns contributed to negative perceptions of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group also criticised reactions to recent security incidents, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, accusing critics of using such tragedies to score political points.

“Terrorists all over the world are known not only to be heartless but also often irrational in their actions. However, opposition elements are exploiting the situation as usual. Most of the pictures being circulated are manipulated and completely false,” the statement said.

DWF called on Nigerians to remain calm and continue supporting security agencies, stressing that authorities should remain focused on rescue and recovery operations rather than political distractions.