The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Oyo State Chapter, has called on the Oyo State Government to urgently strengthen security across schools in the state following the recent abduction incident in Oriire Local Government Area.

In a statement jointly signed by the union’s chairman, Comrade Mrs. Deborah Ranti Oluwemimo, and secretary, Comrade Ayo Adekunle, the union expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation affecting schools, particularly those located in rural communities and villages.

The union’s reaction followed the tragic incident that occurred at Ahoro Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where a teacher and a student reportedly lost their lives while several students were abducted.

ASUSS urged the state government, through the Ministry of Education, to provide adequate security measures to safeguard teachers, students, and school facilities across the state.

According to the statement, insecurity around schools poses a serious threat to education, warning that the future of students could become endangered if urgent actions are not taken.

“Teachers posted to rural communities endure enormous difficulties in getting to their duty posts daily and therefore deserve peace of mind through the provision of maximum security to enable them discharge their duties effectively,” the statement read.

The union described the situation as unacceptable, noting that teachers and students can no longer operate freely in some communities without fear.

“A situation where teachers and students can no longer operate freely at their duty posts without fear is unacceptable and poses a serious danger to the educational sector of the state,” ASUSS stated.

The union further observed that many teachers in rural communities make deliberate efforts to encourage school attendance despite difficult conditions, but warned that insecurity could reverse such gains.

“In most of these villages, teachers make deliberate efforts to encourage students to attend school. However, when schools are no longer safe, attendance drops drastically and the future of the students becomes endangered,” the statement added.

ASUSS also warned that persistent insecurity could negatively affect teachers’ ability to carry out their responsibilities effectively due to fear and trauma.

“If urgent security measures are not put in place, teachers may also be unable to discharge their professional responsibilities effectively due to the fear and trauma associated with insecurity,” the union said.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased teacher and student, the union called on the government and security agencies to ensure the immediate rescue of the abducted students, arrest the perpetrators, and ensure justice is served.

The union reiterated its appeal for maximum security coverage for schools across Oyo State to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.