- Safiu Kehinde
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
This is considered part of efforts to address emerging security concerns in the affected areas, particularly on the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
NPO Reported that suspected terrorists had on the 15th of May 2026 stormed the council attacking the Ahoro-Esinele Community High School, Yaota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A Primary School.
They kidnapped a total of 46 victims comprising of seven teachers and 39 students.
With the kidnap victims still reportedly held hostage within the Old Oyo National Park, Makinde on Tuesday approved the curfew, which is set to take effect from today, June 24, 2026.
This was contained in a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde.
The directive stipulates that movement will be restricted between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. daily for an initial period of 48 hours.
This according to the state government is aimed at strengthening security and maintaining public order in communities surrounding the national park.
The affected local government areas are Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.
Specifically, the curfew will cover residents in Ikoyi-Ile, Igboho, Kisi, Saki, Ago-Amodu, Tede, Ago-Are, Otu, Iseyin, Igbeti and Offa-Meta, which serve as headquarters of the affected councils.
Residents are urged to comply fully with the directive and cooperate with security agencies deployed to enforce the curfew.
They are also advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to relevant authorities as efforts continue to safeguard lives and property across the affected communities.
The state government noted that the 48-hour restriction would be reviewed based on developments and the prevailing security situation in the affected areas.
In the wake of the declaration, security agencies have been deployed to ensure strict enforcement of the order while allowing essential services to operate in line with established guidelines.