President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and ordered intensified rescue operations for pupils and teachers abducted from schools in the state’s Oriire Local Government Area, the presidency said Sunday.
The directive was conveyed by a federal delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities on May 31, 2026, according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
The delegation also said the president had directed a specialized security unit to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers and that a request for a military base in the area was under consideration.
Gbajabiamila, speaking to residents, said Tinubu had ordered all necessary measures to ensure the victims were rescued.
“He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” he said.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Defense Minister Christopher Musa and Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu were among officials in the delegation.
Ribadu said the government would ensure accountability for the attacks, while Musa said the forest guard recruitment would be carried out with the Oyo State government.
The abductions occurred May 15 when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota, taking pupils and teachers hostage. A teacher was killed during the attack, and a motorcyclist and a security operative also died during earlier rescue attempts.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said security meetings were being held twice daily and urged residents not to assign blame between state and federal authorities.
“We will bring back our children and the teachers,” he said.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Nigeria Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State beginning Monday, June 1, and announced plans for nationwide solidarity rallies.
The union said teachers would withdraw services until the abducted pupils and staff are released.
“We have directed all teachers in Oyo State to remain at home starting from tomorrow,” NUT President Audu Amba said.
The NUT also ordered state chapters nationwide to hold rallies June 2 demanding improved protection for schools and the release of abducted victims.
The association said the abductees were being held in “horrifying and inhumane conditions,” citing emotional appeals from victims seen in video messages.
Oyo State NUT officials confirmed full compliance with the strike order.
However, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Oyo State said it would not participate in the planned demonstrations, calling instead for dialogue with authorities.
Separately, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project urged the United Nations to invoke Article 99 of the U.N. Charter and bring Nigeria’s insecurity crisis before the U.N. Security Council, citing mass abductions, killings and displacement across several states.
The Nigerian Baptist Convention also condemned the abductions, calling for stronger community involvement and the creation of state police to address worsening insecurity.
Church President Rev. Israel Akanji said the kidnapping of a 2-year-old child underscored the severity of the crisis.
“Nigerians are running out of patience,” he said.
