Leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State on Tuesday met with Governor Seyi Makinde, calling for stronger collaboration among all levels of government to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The meeting came amid growing concerns over the abduction of more than 30 pupils and teachers, an incident that has sparked widespread condemnation across the state.
Earlier, hundreds of teachers, workers and students staged a peaceful protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, demanding urgent action to rescue the victims.
The NUT also announced an indefinite withdrawal of services by primary and secondary school teachers across the state, citing the continued captivity of their colleagues and students.
Speaking during the meeting, NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, Oyo NLC Chairman, Kayode Martins, and Oyo NUT Chairman, Fatai Hassan, urged political leaders to set aside partisan interests and work together in tackling insecurity. They stressed the need for closer cooperation among federal, state and local governments, as well as security agencies, to ensure the safe and speedy release of the abductees.
Responding, Governor Makinde assured the labour and student leaders that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ freedom. He called for public support and cooperation with security agencies, noting that rescue operations were being intensified.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and restoring confidence in the state’s security architecture.
The development follows a recent visit by a high-powered Federal Government delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to the affected communities in Oriire Local Government Area.