IBADAN — The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has brought its industrial action in Oyo State to a halt, directing public school teachers across the state to report back to work on Thursday, July 2, 2026, following fresh assurances from the state government on security matters triggered by the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.

The suspension was announced on Wednesday in a joint statement signed by the Oyo State Chairman of the union, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the State Secretary, Comrade Olukayode Salami. According to the union, the decision was reached after the national leadership reviewed developments on the ground and weighed appeals from the government and other concerned stakeholders.

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Newsworld Media Network gathered that the strike had been declared in direct response to the kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire, an incident that sent shockwaves through the education community and prompted the union to pull teachers out of classrooms in protest.

“The Nigeria Union of Teachers hereby directs all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to resume official duties on Thursday, July 2, 2026,” the statement read.

The union disclosed that the Oyo State Government committed to a raft of measures aimed at addressing the security gaps that enabled the Oriire abductions. These include the launch of a well-equipped Joint Security Task Force to patrol schools and vulnerable access roads, intensified rescue operations for abducted victims, ongoing engagement with the families of those still missing, and psychosocial support and rehabilitation for anyone already freed.

Beyond the immediate crisis, the government also pledged to settle outstanding gratuities and entitlements owed to families of deceased teachers, reinvigorate the Safe School Initiative, improve early warning and emergency response systems, and deploy technology to bolster security across school environments.

Further commitments included dismantling criminal hideouts, tackling illegal mining and open grazing in forest reserves — widely seen as factors enabling criminal activity in rural communities — improving community intelligence networks, expediting the prosecution of suspects already in custody, and enhancing the welfare of security personnel.

The NUT commended its members for their discipline and solidarity throughout the strike period and acknowledged the support of allied bodies, including the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria.

“We sincerely appreciate all our members, ANCOPSS, AOPSHON, and other stakeholders for their discipline, solidarity, and unwavering support during this period. Your cooperation has once again demonstrated our collective commitment to the welfare and safety of teachers and learners,” the statement said.

While welcoming the suspension of the strike, the union stopped short of declaring the matter fully resolved. It urged teachers to stay alert and promptly flag any suspicious activity or security threats in their schools and communities to the relevant authorities, warning that its engagement with the government would continue until every outstanding concern is comprehensively addressed.

“Our resolve to safeguard the lives, welfare and dignity of teachers remains unwavering. We shall continue constructive engagement with the government until every concern relating to the security of our members and learners is adequately addressed,” the union stated.