By Ijeoma Agbafo
The South-West zone of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has given security agencies and the Oyo State Government a seven-day ultimatum to release the teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area or face mass protests across the region.
The association issued the warning following the May 15 abduction of about 39 pupils and seven teachers from three private schools. NAPPS stated that if the victims are not released by June 10, 2026, private school proprietors, staff, and students will embark on peaceful but massive protests to the State Houses of Assembly and Government Houses across all six South-West states.
The ultimatum comes amid growing frustration in the education sector. The Nigeria Union of Teachers had already declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State public schools since June 1 over the same incident. NAPPS officials say private school owners can no longer watch helplessly as bandits continue to target schools and abduct even toddlers.
The association described the continued detention of the children and teachers as unacceptable and called on both the federal and state governments to act urgently to rescue the victims and strengthen security around schools before the June 10 deadline expires.
