BREAKING: Makinde Imposes 16-Hour Curfew In 10 Oyo LGAs Over Kidnapped Students Crisis

Governor Seyi Makinde has imposed a 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas in Oyo State following growing security concerns linked to the activities of kidnappers operating around the Old Oyo National Park.

The decision comes amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to secure the release of students and teachers abducted in recent attacks within parts of the state.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, the curfew will take effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

The statement, which was made available through the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the restriction of movement will run daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

The government explained that the curfew will remain in force for an initial period of 48 hours as authorities intensify security operations across the affected areas.

The move follows concerns that the Old Oyo National Park has become a major security hotspot and is allegedly being used as a hideout by criminal gangs responsible for recent abductions in the state.

Reports indicate that dozens of students and teachers kidnapped in communities within Oriire Local Government Area were allegedly taken into forest locations around the park.

The local government areas affected by the curfew are:

• Oriire (Ikoyi-Ile)
• Orelope (Igboho)
• Irepo (Kisi)
• Saki West (Saki)
• Saki East (Ago-Amodu)
• Atisbo (Tede/Ago-Are)
• Itesiwaju (Otu)
• Iseyin (Iseyin)
• Olorunsogo (Igbeti)
• Atiba (Offa-Meta, Oyo)

Residents in the affected areas have been advised to comply fully with the directive and cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the restriction.

The state government said the measure is part of broader efforts to restore security, protect lives and support ongoing operations aimed at rescuing abducted victims and dismantling criminal networks operating within the region.