The Oyo State Government has announced the immediate suspension of the dusk-to-dawn curfew earlier imposed across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park, saying residents can now return to their normal daily activities even as security agencies sustain operations against kidnappers in the area.
The decision was disclosed on Saturday in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who explained that although the movement restriction had been lifted, security forces would remain on the ground to ensure the rescue of abducted victims and restore lasting peace.
According to Oyelade, “The government is closely monitoring the security situation, and efforts are ongoing to bring the kidnapping episode to an end.”
He reassured residents that the government, alongside security agencies, would continue aggressive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks responsible for recent abductions in parts of the state.
The curfew was first introduced on June 24 as a 48-hour emergency measure, restricting movement between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. across the affected councils. It was later extended by an additional 24 hours to allow security operatives more time to carry out coordinated operations.
Authorities said the restriction was designed to support ongoing efforts to flush out kidnappers and other criminal elements believed to be operating around the Old Oyo National Park.
The local government areas affected by the curfew included Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.
The security measures followed the May 15 coordinated attack on three schools located in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area, where armed assailants kidnapped scores of pupils and teachers, triggering widespread concern over rising insecurity in Nigeria’s South-West region.
Since the incident, the Oyo State Government has intensified rescue operations in collaboration with the military, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies. Officials have consistently maintained that securing the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers remains a top priority while efforts to eliminate criminal activities in the affected communities continue.
(Ripples)