Oyo Lifts Curfew in 10 LGAs, Sustains Manhunt for Kidnappers

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

Oyo Lifts Curfew in 10 LGAs, Sustains Manhunt for Kidnappers

The Oyo State Government has officially lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park, following a comprehensive review of the security situation. While residents can now resume normal activities, security agencies remain on high alert and are intensifying operations to rescue victims of the recent Oriire school abduction and dismantle criminal networks in the region.

The Oyo State Government has officially lifted the security curfew imposed on 10 local government areas following the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area. The decision was announced on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, who confirmed that residents are now free to return to their normal daily activities .

The restriction, which initially ran from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily, was first introduced on June 24 as a 48-hour emergency measure designed to support ongoing security operations targeting kidnappers and other criminal elements operating around the Old Oyo National Park . The curfew was later extended by an additional 24 hours on Thursday, June 25, to allow security operatives more time to carry out coordinated operations across the affected councils .

The 10 local government areas affected by the curfew are Atiba, Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Olorunsogo, Oriire, Oorelope, Saki West, and Saki East—all of which share boundaries with the Old Oyo National Park . These communities have been under heightened security watch following 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 .

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Announcing the development in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday, Commissioner Oyelade expressed appreciation for the cooperation and understanding of residents in the affected councils throughout the period of the restriction. He reassured the public that the state government is maintaining close surveillance of the security situation, adding that efforts are continuing to tackle the kidnapping incident and ensure the safety of lives and property .

According to Oyelade, the government is closely monitoring the security situation, and efforts are ongoing to bring the kidnapping episode to a successful conclusion. He confirmed that although the movement restriction had been lifted, security forces will remain on the ground to ensure the rescue of abducted victims and restore lasting peace .

The 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 .

The Federal Government has also weighed in on the security situation, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reassuring residents of Oyo State and the South-West that every realistic measure, including international collaboration, is being taken to ensure the kidnapped victims are safely brought home without harm or avoidable loss of life. The President urged citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies through intelligence sharing and community collaboration.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had earlier visited the affected communities and the abducted children’s families to reassure them of the government’s commitment to their rescue. He described the incident as deeply distressing and promised that no resources would be spared in ensuring the safe return of all abducted persons.

The Oyo State House of Assembly also passed a resolution commending the state government and security agencies for their swift response to the crisis, while calling for sustained efforts to address the root causes of insecurity in the border communities. Lawmakers urged the government to strengthen community policing and invest in intelligence-gathering infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.

Community leaders and traditional rulers in the affected local government areas have welcomed the lifting of the curfew, describing it as a sign of improving security. However, they also called on the government to maintain a strong security presence and address other challenges such as illegal mining and herder-farmer conflicts, which they believe contribute to the insecurity in the region.

Security analysts have noted that the lifting of the curfew suggests that the immediate threat has been contained, but they caution that the government must remain vigilant. They have called for a comprehensive approach that combines military operations with dialogue and development initiatives to address the underlying factors driving kidnapping and banditry in the area.

Efforts are currently underway to track down the fleeing suspects, with security patrols and intelligence-gathering operations ongoing across the affected local government areas. The state government has appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid in the battle against crime.