Teachers under the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan on Thursday over the abduction of students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The protest followed the May 15 attack on Esiele community in Oriire, where armed men invaded schools and abducted more than 40 students and teachers.

Since the incident, the abductors have reportedly released disturbing videos showing victims being held in captivity and subjected to harsh conditions in a forest location, heightening concerns among families and education stakeholders.

After nearly three weeks without the release of the victims, primary and secondary school teachers across the state took to the streets to demand urgent government intervention.

The protesters gathered at the Iwo Road axis of Ibadan, chanting solidarity songs and calling for swift action to secure the safe return of their colleagues and students.

Chants such as “Bring back our children” and “No more bandits” echoed during the demonstration as teachers expressed frustration over the continued captivity of the victims.

The union called on security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted victims and improve safety in schools across the state.

The protest remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or disruption of traffic beyond the demonstration activities.

The incident has further renewed concerns over school security in parts of Oyo State, where communities have repeatedly called for stronger protection measures for students and teachers.