Teachers in Akwa Ibom State will stay away from classrooms on Tuesday as they join a nationwide solidarity rally calling for the release of teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oyo State.

The decision was announced by the Akwa Ibom State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in a letter dated June 1 and addressed to the State Commissioner for Education.

According to the union, all primary and secondary schools across the state will remain closed to allow teachers participate in the peaceful demonstration.

The action follows a directive from the national leadership of the NUT in response to the abduction of teachers and pupils from Baptist Nursery and Primary Schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

The Akwa Ibom chapter disclosed that the rally will begin at the Teachers’ House along IBB Avenue in Uyo and proceed to the Government House, where participants are expected to submit their demands to the state government.

The union described the protest as a necessary show of support for the abducted victims and their families, while urging the Ministry of Education to back the initiative.

In a circular issued to state branches, the national leadership of the NUT expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils, describing their situation as distressing and unacceptable.

The union noted that despite appeals to security agencies and relevant authorities, the victims remained in captivity more than two weeks after the incident.

It also referenced reports indicating that some teachers had lost their lives during the attack and expressed concern over the welfare of those still being held.

According to the NUT, the absence of clear information about the condition of the victims has heightened anxiety among teachers and the wider public.

As part of its response, the union directed all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely from June 1 until the abducted victims regain their freedom.

It also instructed all state chapters to organise solidarity rallies on Tuesday to draw attention to the security challenges facing schools across the country.

The demonstrations are expected to culminate at state government houses, where union leaders will address the media and call on governments at all levels to strengthen security around educational institutions.

The NUT reiterated its commitment to pursuing lawful measures aimed at securing the release of the abducted teachers and pupils while advocating improved protection for schools nationwide.

The planned action has drawn comparisons to the nationwide protests organised by the union in 2014 following the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State.

The latest demonstration underscores growing concerns among educators over recurring attacks on schools and the need for stronger measures to safeguard students, teachers, and learning environments across Nigeria.