Trending 
President Bola Tinubu has declared that “no child should be taken from the safety of a classroom” as he announced new security measures following the abduction of about 46 pupils and teachers in Oyo State, while teachers launched an indefinite strike and protesters took to the streets demanding action.
“I share the pain and anxiety of the affected families. No child should be taken from the safety of a classroom. No parent should have to endure this anguish,” Tinubu said in a statement Monday.
Tinubu’s remarks came as the Nigeria Union of Teachers began an indefinite strike across Oyo State, shutting down public primary and secondary schools in protest over the continued captivity of their colleagues and students.
Only West African Senior School Certificate Examination candidates were allowed onto school premises.
In Ibadan, members of the Take-It-Back Movement also staged a demonstration at Mokola Roundabout, carrying placards and demanding the immediate release of the victims.
“We cannot have 47 children in the forest, and political bandits are holding primaries,” a demonstrator told News Central TV, accusing the government of playing politics while children remained captive.
“If we should make a mistake of negotiating with these terrorists this time around, that is the end of South West.”
Kayode Babayomi has cautioned against negotiating with bandits, saying it could worsen terrorism and endanger the South West region. https://t.co/IRVywe1nc6 pic.twitter.com/N0MRxzpdGO
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 1, 2026
The demonstrator issued four demands: “Release our children and teachers immediately. Rehabilitate them. Compensate all of them. And we are also demanding a probe into the security architecture of Nigeria.”
Tinubu said the request by communities in the Oriire Local Government Area for the establishment of a military base “is receiving urgent consideration.”
He also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State government and deployed a specialised security unit to intensify rescue efforts.
“Our rescue efforts will be intelligence-led, careful, coordinated, and sustained,” Tinubu said.
The president extended condolences to the family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher who was beheaded in captivity.
“Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his family will not be abandoned,” Tinubu said.
At my direction, following the visit of a high-level Federal Government delegation that I sent to the Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, I have approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government.
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) June 1, 2026
