The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a strong warning that it may direct the closure of schools across the country if another attack is recorded in any learning institution, amid worsening insecurity targeting pupils and educators.

The warning comes against the backdrop of recent violent incidents in states including Oyo, Borno and Kebbi, where armed groups have killed and abducted both teachers and students in separate school attacks.

In one of the most recent cases, gunmen stormed three schools in Oyo State—Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School, and LA Primary School—reportedly abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers. In Borno State, over 50 pupils of Mussa Central Primary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area were also kidnapped in a separate incident.

Reacting to the trend, the NUT leadership said the situation had become unbearable, warning that teachers may be ordered to stay away from classrooms if their safety cannot be guaranteed.

The union’s president, Titus Amba, said the continued attacks show that the education sector is becoming increasingly unsafe, especially at the basic level. He noted that despite the introduction of the Safe School Initiative, violent attacks on schools have persisted, particularly in parts of northern and southwestern Nigeria.

According to him, repeated kidnappings and killings of school staff and learners demonstrate that existing security measures have not achieved their purpose.

Amba stressed that the union would no longer remain passive if the trend continues, adding that a nationwide shutdown of basic education could be the next step if authorities fail to act decisively.

He cited recent tragedies in Kebbi and Oyo, where school staff and students were abducted, while some victims were reportedly killed during the attacks.

The NUT president further warned that teachers would not continue to work in life-threatening environments, insisting that personal safety must come first. He also called on government authorities and local communities to take stronger responsibility in securing schools and protecting learners.

Amba added that some abducted victims are still being held by their captors, describing the situation as deeply troubling and urging urgent intervention to prevent further escalation.