JUST IN: OYO GOVERNMENT LIFTS CURFEW IN 10 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS SECURITY OPERATIONS CONTINUE

 OYO GOVERNMENT LIFTS CURFEW IN 10 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS SECURITY OPERATIONS CONTINUE

The Oyo State Government has officially lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew earlier imposed across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park following intensified security operations linked to the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in the state.

The announcement was made on Saturday through a statement issued by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who confirmed that residents in the affected areas can now resume their normal daily activities.

Despite lifting the restriction, the state government assured residents that security agencies would continue ongoing operations aimed at tackling kidnapping activities and restoring full security within the affected communities.

According to the government, authorities are closely monitoring the situation while sustaining efforts to bring an end to the kidnapping crisis that recently raised serious concerns across the state.

“The government is closely monitoring the security situation, and efforts are ongoing to bring the kidnapping episode to an end,” the statement noted.

The curfew was initially introduced on June 24 as a 48-hour security measure, operating daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., before authorities later extended it by an additional 24 hours to support ongoing rescue operations.

The restriction was designed to assist security agencies in tracking criminal elements believed to be operating around the Old Oyo National Park, an area that has increasingly come under security watch due to reports of kidnappings and related criminal activities.

The 10 affected local government areas include Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba.

The government’s decision followed the May 15 attack on three schools located in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where armed attackers reportedly abducted several pupils and teachers during coordinated raids.

The incident triggered widespread concern nationwide, with many raising fresh concerns over growing insecurity in parts of Nigeria’s South-West region.

Since the abduction, the Oyo State Government has intensified collaboration with the Nigerian military, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies in efforts to rescue the victims and dismantle criminal networks operating within the affected areas.

Authorities have continued to assure residents that rescuing the abducted victims remains a top priority while broader security operations remain active across the region.

The latest decision to lift the curfew is expected to ease movement restrictions for residents while allowing security agencies to continue targeted operations against kidnappers and other criminal groups.