The Oyo State Government has imposed a 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue more than 40 pupils, teachers, and school officials abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The curfew, approved by Governor Seyi Makinde, takes effect from Wednesday and will run daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. for an initial period of 48 hours.
The affected local government areas are Oriire, Oorelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba. Authorities say the restriction is aimed at supporting ongoing security operations around communities bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
Announcing the directive, Musibau Babatunde, Secretary to the State Government, urged residents to comply fully with the curfew and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the affected areas.
The move comes as security agencies reportedly tighten surveillance around the national park and block routes believed to be used by the kidnappers. However, the state government did not immediately disclose specific intelligence that prompted the latest security measure.
The curfew follows the mass abduction that occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.
During the attack, dozens of pupils, teachers, and school personnel were taken into the forests surrounding the Old Oyo National Park. The attackers also killed a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, whose death sparked widespread outrage across the state.
The incident led to school closures and protests by residents and civil society groups demanding urgent government intervention to secure the release of the victims.
Security forces have since launched extensive search-and-rescue operations across forests and remote settlements around the national park. The operation has, however, come at a heavy cost.
Speaking during a protest in Ibadan on June 16, Governor Makinde disclosed that a Nigerian Army lieutenant was killed during a rescue mission aimed at locating the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
“We have lost men, even soldiers. I can confirm that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago,” the governor said, describing the officer’s death as a painful sacrifice in the ongoing operation.
Makinde also assured residents that the state would not allow the crisis to become a prolonged national tragedy, insisting that all available resources are being deployed to secure the safe return of the victims while minimizing further casualties.
The Old Oyo National Park has increasingly drawn attention from security experts due to recurring reports of kidnappings, armed attacks, and criminal activities within its vast forest corridors. The area, which connects parts of Oyo, Kwara, and Niger states, is believed to provide cover for criminal groups operating across state boundaries.
Earlier this year, five officers attached to the National Park Service were killed in an attack on the National Park Office in Oloka Village, also located in Oriire Local Government Area.
Residents of communities surrounding the park have repeatedly raised concerns over growing insecurity in the area, with many calling for stronger security measures and increased surveillance.
Authorities hope the temporary curfew will limit movement within the affected areas and enhance ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted victims and restore security across the region.
