The Oyo State Government has imposed a temporary 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas surrounding the Old Oyo National Park as part of intensified efforts to tackle insecurity and support ongoing rescue operations in the region.
According to a government directive, the curfew will take effect from Wednesday and will run daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. for an initial period of two days.
The affected local government areas include Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba.
Authorities said the measure is aimed at strengthening security operations in the area and facilitating efforts to rescue 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers who were abducted in May.
Governor Seyi Makinde had previously disclosed that intelligence reports indicated the victims were being held within the Old Oyo National Park, a vast area spanning about 2,500 square kilometres across parts of the affected local governments.
The governor noted that the size of the park and its challenging terrain have complicated rescue efforts, requiring careful planning, coordination, and sustained security operations.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating online that the abducted victims were transported to Kaduna State by helicopter.
The police described the claim as false, misleading, and lacking any verified evidence, urging the public to disregard the report. However, security authorities did not provide further details regarding the current location of the abductees.
The curfew is expected to support ongoing security activities as authorities intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and restore safety in the affected communities.
