Oyo teachers protest abduction of colleagues, students 

By Adejayan Gbenga

Teachers in public schools across Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Monday staged a peaceful protest over the abduction of their colleagues and students by suspected gunmen.

The protesters called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of the victims.

Reports indicated that about 39 students and seven teachers were kidnapped in attacks carried out in some communities within the LGA last Friday.

The incident has sparked fear across the area, with many schools recording poor attendance on Monday morning as students stayed away from classes.

Teachers in the local government marched through parts of the area carrying placards and singing solidarity songs while demanding urgent action from authorities.

One of the teachers said fear had forced many teachers and students to avoid school premises. “In my school, only two students came and one or two teachers as at the time I left. We couldn’t even go into the school premises, we stayed at the school gate, fearing any eventuality,” the teacher said.