Public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State, South-West Nigeria are closed as students were directed to stay at home in solidarity with families of pupils and teachers kidnapped in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area.
The shutdown follows a protest earlier today at the Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan, where youths demanded urgent government action to secure the release of the victims.
However, most private schools in Ibadan and other parts of the state opened for normal academic activities and were not affected by the directive.
The protesters issued a warning to owners of private schools, urging them to join the closure. They said private schools that refuse to comply may be forced to shut down.
The kidnapping of students and teachers in Esiele last week sparked widespread outrage, with residents and civil society groups calling on both state and federal governments to intensify rescue efforts.
Government officials are yet to react to the school closures and the protesters’ warning to private school operators.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
