Parents, teachers stay away from classrooms amid security concerns weeks after over 40 pupils and staff regained freedom from 56-day captivity

Some schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State remain closed despite the rescue of more than 40 abducted schoolchildren and their teachers, as fear of another attack continues to keep parents, pupils and teachers away from classrooms.

The development comes one week after the victims regained their freedom following 56 days in captivity.

Investigations show that while academic activities have resumed in communities such as Ahoro-Dada and Ikoyi-Ile, schools in Pamo, Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle remain shut.

The May 15 abduction prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State to embark on a strike over security concerns before suspending the action on July 1 after reviewing the situation.

Meanwhile, eight more rescued pupils and one teacher have been discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital after being certified medically fit.

Hospital sources confirmed that only one pupil, who is receiving treatment for a congenital heart condition, remains on admission.

The traditional ruler of Pamo, Oba Ayobami Ogunmakinde, said many parents were still unwilling to send their children back to school due to lingering fears. He appealed to the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to upgrade the community’s police post to a divisional headquarters, stressing that a stronger security presence is necessary to restore public confidence.

Meanwhile, some parents and teachers also expressed concerns over safety, insisting they would only return to schools when adequate security measures are put in place.

A teacher, who requested anonymity, said the abduction had left lasting psychological trauma, while a parent said keeping her children at home was the only way to guarantee their safety.

The rescued pupils and teachers were freed on July 10 through a joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes and local hunters.

Authorities have continued to reassure residents of improved security as efforts intensify to restore normal academic activities in the affected communities.