*Strike: Oyo Public Schools Shut On NUT Directive
THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Monday, June 1, staged a protest over the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils and teachers from public schools in Oriire Local Council of Oyo State.
The students, joined by civil society organisations, marched through Bodija, Mokola, Iwo Road, Gate/Bus Stop and the state secretariat in Agodi area of the state capital, bearing placards with various inscriptions calling for the immediate release of all the victims from captivity.
Security personnel were on ground to maintain law and order.
One of the student leaders, Moses Olawole, decried government’s negligence and delayed actions to secure the freedom of the abductees, lamenting that the situation would not have lasted this long if decisive action was taken by government.
He vowed that the protest would be sustained until the pupils and teachers were released, adding that the students would march to Aso Rock, Abuja, for a national protest by June 8 if government failed to free the abductees.
Meanwhile, teachers in public primary and secondary schools across the state began an indefinite strike to protest the kidnapp of teachers and pupils on May 15 during attacks on Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro- Esinele, as well as Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, near Ogbomoso.
Recall that the NUT in the state had directed its members to proceed on an indefinite strike on June 1.
Many students who arrived at their schools as early as 7:45a.m. were turned back and asked to return home, as only candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and teachers assigned to supervise them were allowed into school premises.
There were reports of full compliance by teachers in public primary and secondary schoolsfrom other parts of the state, including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa and Igboora in Ibarapa.
