Oduduwa News

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has suspended its withdrawal of services across Oyo State public schools following renewed engagements with the state government and assurances over measures to improve security after the abduction of teachers and learners in Oriire Local Government Area.

In a statement jointly signed by the union’s Oyo State Chairman, Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and Secretary, Olukayode Salami, on Wednesday, the union announced that the suspension followed a directive from its national leadership after reviewing the prevailing security situation and considering appeals by the Oyo State Government and other key stakeholders.

The union directed all public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to resume official duties from Thursday, July 2, 2026, bringing an end to the industrial action that was declared in response to the kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the decision was taken in the collective interest of teachers, learners and the general public after the government assured the union that sustained efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the abducted victims and strengthen security around schools and surrounding communities.

The union disclosed that the government had made several commitments aimed at preventing future attacks, including intensified rescue efforts for the abducted teachers and learners, the establishment of a well-equipped Joint Security Task Force to patrol vulnerable schools and access routes, continuous engagement with affected families, psychosocial support and rehabilitation for rescued victims, and payment of gratuities and other entitlements to the families of deceased teachers.

Other commitments include strengthening the Safe School Initiative through public sensitisation and early warning systems, improving emergency response mechanisms, addressing criminal hideouts, upgrading school infrastructure, tackling illegal mining and open grazing in forest reserves, enhancing community intelligence gathering, ensuring speedy prosecution of criminal suspects, improving the welfare of security personnel, and deploying technology to bolster school security.

The union commended its members, as well as the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), for their discipline, solidarity and compliance throughout the period of the industrial action, describing their support as instrumental in advancing the welfare and security of teachers and learners.

While directing members to return to the classrooms, the union urged teachers to remain vigilant, obey the law and promptly report any security threats within their schools and communities to the appropriate authorities.

The NUT reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and security of teachers, stressing that it would continue engaging the government until all outstanding concerns regarding the safety of teachers and students are fully addressed.

The Federal Government has approved the reconstruction of major road corridors in Oyo State, a move expected to boost economic activities and improve connectivity across the Oke-Ogun region.

Among the projects approved are the reconstruction of the Iseyin–Ilesa Baruba Road, the Igbeti–Igboho Road, and the Igboho–Sooro–Kishi Road, all of which serve as critical links between Oyo State and neighbouring states.

The approval forms part of a broader package of road infrastructure projects recently approved by the Federal Government.

The total road awarded across the country cost N3.9.4tr and Oyo state has over 900bn.

The approvals followed the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja. It was the first meeting in approximately three months since the council last sat on March 4, 2026, when Tinubu swore in the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the council ratified a series of approvals alongside fresh decisions spanning road construction, rehabilitation, dualisation and concession arrangements.

Here’s the breakdown of the entire road projects across the country.

1. N276 billion for the dualisation of Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road.
2. N217 billion for the dualisation of old alignment ijawaya to FGC to Ilorin Road with a spur to Akinmorin
3. N265 billion for the reconstruction of Iseyin-Eruwa-Agbesi Road in Oyo State and Kwara State.
4. N110 billion for the Ogbomoso-Oko-Illupu Road in Oyo and Osun States.
5. N98 billion for the construction of 30km Idi-Araba-Ayede-Olodo Road in Oyo State.
6. N82 billion for the rehabilitation of Igbeti Road in Oyo State.
7. N74 billion for the construction of Igbeti-Soro-Kishi Road in Oyo State.
8. N15.5 billion for the 13km Badeku-Jaiye Road in Oyo State.

The Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has expressed confidence that the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State will be rescued safely, saying coordinated security operations are already underway across the South-West.

The Chairman of the South-West Amotekun Commanders’ Forum and Commander of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, gave the assurance on Tuesday while parading 28 suspects arrested for various criminal offences at the corps headquarters in Akure.

Mr Adeleye said Amotekun personnel, working with local hunters, youths and community leaders familiar with the forests, had intensified search operations to track down the abductors.

Lagos State has recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria, accounting for 10,430 of the 102,025 cases reported nationwide in 2025, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The figures, contained in the ministry’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, highlight the continued challenge posed by HIV despite ongoing efforts to expand testing, treatment and public awareness across the country.

According to the report, Rivers State ranked second with 6,287 new infections, followed by Kano with 6,106 cases. Akwa Ibom recorded 5,413 new infections, while Taraba and Benue reported 4,854 and 4,804 cases respectively. Anambra also recorded a high burden with 4,468 cases.

Kaduna registered 3,659 new infections during the period, while Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 2,989 and 2,764 cases respectively. Cross River, Sokoto, Abia, Imo, Delta, Borno, Ogun, Plateau, Niger and Ebonyi each reported more than 2,000 new infections.

At the lower end of the scale, Ekiti recorded the fewest new HIV infections with 462 cases. Bayelsa reported 982 cases, while Gombe, Osun, Kwara, Enugu, Yobe, Katsina and Kebbi all recorded fewer than 1,600 infections.

Public health experts say the figures reflect the need for sustained investment in HIV prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment. They also stressed the importance of combating stigma, which remains a major barrier preventing many Nigerians from seeking testing and care.

Although Nigeria has made significant progress in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy and reducing AIDS-related deaths over the past decade, health authorities warn that new infections remain a major concern, particularly in densely populated and economically active states.

The Federal Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening HIV response programmes through collaboration with state governments, development partners and community-based organisations. It urged Nigerians to embrace regular HIV testing, adopt preventive measures and support people living with HIV to accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.

JUSTICE Oyeyemi Ajayi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has adjourned the murder trial of former chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the State Park Management System, (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as ‘Auxiliary,’ to July 9, for judgment.

The court fixed the new date on Wednesday after the state counsel failed to file the necessary trial documents, stalling proceedings in the case instituted by the Oyo State government.

Justice Ajayi said the court would deliver its final judgment on the adjourned date, bringing the trial to a close.

Lamidi is standing trial on a one-count charge of murder. The prosecution alleges that he caused the death of one Wonuola Ayinde by knocking her down with his vehicle.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on September 23, 2023, at about 4:30pm at the Government Reservation Area, Agodi, Ibadan.

The offence is said to contravene section 325 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which prescribes punishment for murder.

Lamidi, a former ally of Governor Seyi Makinde and a prominent figure the state’s transport union sector, has been in and out of court since his arraignment. He was first arrested in May 2023 after a raid on his residence, during which firearms and charms were allegedly recovered.

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes with the launch of Operation Kosaye, a special security operation targeting criminal hideouts in the forests bordering Lagos and Ogun states.

The operation is aimed at flushing out suspected kidnappers and dismantling criminal camps believed to have been used to coordinate abductions and other criminal activities in the region. Police authorities said the initiative forms part of ongoing measures to strengthen security and reassure residents of their safety.

According to the police, tactical teams, intelligence officers, and other security personnel have been deployed to strategic locations, with sustained patrols and surveillance across identified forest areas. The operation also involves collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to enhance intelligence gathering and ensure effective policing.

The Force noted that the operation is designed not only to arrest fleeing kidnappers but also to prevent future attacks by denying criminal groups safe havens in the forests.

Residents of Lagos and Ogun states have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing operations. The police assured the public that every effort is being made to restore confidence and improve security across the affected areas.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to tackling kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, stressing that those responsible for criminal activities would be tracked down and brought to justice.

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State will be rescued safely, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens.

The President gave the assurance while reacting to the abduction, describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable. He directed security agencies to intensify search and rescue operations to ensure the victims are freed unharmed and the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Tinubu stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate acts of kidnapping and other forms of criminality threatening the safety of Nigerians. He urged security operatives to deploy every available resource to track down the kidnappers and secure the immediate release of the victims.

He also expressed sympathy with the families of the abducted teachers and pupils, as well as the Oyo State Government, assuring them that the Federal Government is working closely with relevant authorities to resolve the situation.

The President called on members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing rescue efforts.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to strengthen national security and ensure that schools and communities across the country remain safe from criminal attacks.

The Oyo State Government has extended the curfew earlier imposed on ten local government areas in the Oke-Ogun zone by an additional 24 hours as part of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abducted children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday announced a 16-hour curfew affecting Oriire, Oorelope, Irepo, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba Local Government Areas following the unfortunate kidnapping incident.

According to the government, the extension is aimed at consolidating security operations and preventing criminal elements from continuing their activities of kidnapping and extortion.

Governor Makinde appealed to residents of Oyo State to remain calm, patient, and supportive of government efforts, assuring them that security agencies are working tirelessly to bring the situation to a successful and decisive conclusion.

The Ondo State Government has withheld the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and testimonials of some graduating secondary school students following acts of misconduct during their sign-out celebrations.

The State Ministry of Education disclosed that the disciplinary action was taken after 17 final-year students were found to have engaged in chaotic and unruly behaviour after completing their final examination.

According to the ministry, the affected students were captured in a viral video tearing their school uniforms, chanting unusual slogans, and engaging in acts considered inconsistent with acceptable standards of discipline.

The students involved were identified as being from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School, and CAC Grammar School, all located in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The government said the sanctions were imposed to uphold discipline and discourage acts of indiscipline among students in the state’s public secondary schools.

Oil exploration activities on Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area have recorded significant progress following the grant of Frontier Exploration Status to Ogun State by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

As part of the ongoing exploration programme, key preliminary stages have been successfully completed, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Bathymetric, Topographical and Geotechnical Surveys. The project has also secured all necessary statutory approvals from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Further advancing the project, civil works have commenced on site, while well intervention and re-entry equipment have been mobilized, signaling the transition to the next phase of exploration activities.

The Ogun State Government said the initiative is aimed at unlocking the hydrocarbon potential within the state’s frontier acreage, creating employment opportunities, attracting investment, and generating additional revenue for economic growth and development.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the successful execution of the project, noting that the exploration programme represents a major step towards positioning Ogun State as a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector.