Nigeria, June 3 -- The Coalition of Non-State Schools in Oyo State (CONSSOS) has ruled out joining any strike or protest over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from their schools in Oriire Local Government Area, saying alternative actions would better support efforts to secure the victims' release and improve school security across the state.

Instead of strike or protest, the coalition directed all private schools across the state to close on Friday, 5 June, in solidarity with calls for the urgent rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers and to hold special prayer sessions seeking their safe return.

It gave the declared its stance in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Tuesday. The communique was signed by the ...