Makinde imposes curfew on 10 Oyo LGAs over abduction of pupils, teachers
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has imposed a curfew on 10 local government areas of the state following the abduction of students and teachers in communities around the Old Oyo National Park.
The directive comes amid heightened security concerns over recent kidnappings allegedly linked to bandit activities in forested areas within the state.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and made available through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The government explained that the measure is part of emergency security steps aimed at assisting ongoing rescue operations and restricting the movement of criminal elements suspected to be operating within and around the national park axis.
The statement noted that the curfew will run for 48 hours in the first instance and will be in effect from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily.
It added that the affected local government areas are those surrounding the Old Oyo National Park, which has recently become a major security flashpoint.
The affected councils are: Oriire (Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Igboho), Irepo (Kisi), Saki West (Saki), Saki East (Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Tede/Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Otu), Iseyin (Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Igbeti), and Atiba (Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development follows reports that 39 students and seven teachers were abducted last month in some communities within Oriire Local Government Area.
Authorities believe the victims may be held within forest reserves around the Old Oyo National Park, which has increasingly been cited as a hideout for armed groups.
Governor Makinde, according to the statement, said the curfew was necessary to strengthen security operations, restrict nocturnal movement, and support efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to comply strictly with the directive, as security agencies have been deployed to enforce the restriction order.
The government also warned that anyone found violating the curfew would face the full weight of the law.
Security operatives are expected to intensify patrols and surveillance within the affected local government areas during the restriction period.
The Old Oyo National Park axis has in recent months raised concern among residents and security agencies due to increasing reports of kidnappings and armed bandit activity along forest corridors linking Oyo to neighbouring states.
Source: Daily Post
Tags: Security, Oyo State, Kidnapping, Banditry, Curfew
Posted by FRONTLINE AFRICA
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