The Oyo State Government has announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew across 10 local government areas in response to heightened security concerns following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state.
The restriction, which takes effect from Wednesday, will run daily from 4 pm to 8 am and affects communities surrounding the Old Oyo National Park, where victims of a recent attack in Oriire Local Government Area are believed to be held.
Authorities say a total of 46 people, including 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers, were kidnapped during the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, listed the affected local government areas as Oriire (Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Igboho), Irepo (Kisi), Saki West (Saki), Saki East (Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Tede/Ago-Are), and Itesiwaju (Otu).
Others include Iseyin, Olorunsogo (Igbeti), and Atiba (Offa-Meta).
According to the statement, the curfew is a temporary security measure expected to last 48 hours “in the first instance,” though authorities did not rule out extension depending on security developments in the area.
The government said the decision was aimed at supporting ongoing rescue efforts and restricting movement within vulnerable communities as security agencies intensify operations around the forested park area.
The abduction has heightened anxiety across the state, particularly in rural communities close to forest reserves that have in recent years become flashpoints for kidnappings and other violent crimes.
Officials have urged residents to comply fully with the curfew order while assuring that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the victims.
