Breaking: Oyo Declares 16-hour Curfew in 10 LGAs

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, Tuesday night approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state.

According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from today (Wednesday).

The curfew, which is between 4 pm and 8 am, and lasts for 48 hours in the first instance, affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.

The affected local government areas are –
Oriire (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile)
Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho)
Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi)
Saki West (Headquarters: Saki)
Saki East (Headquarters: Ago-Amodu)
Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede/Ago-Are)
Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu)
Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin)
Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti)
Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo)

The curfew comes as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. The attackers stormed schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities, killing at least one teacher and abducting dozens of pupils and staff before escaping into the Old Oyo National Park.

Governor Makinde recently revealed that intelligence reports indicate the victims are still being held within the expansive national park, which covers about 2,500 square kilometres and stretches across parts of 10 local government areas in Oyo State. He noted that the vast size and difficult terrain of the forest reserve have complicated rescue operations, as security agencies continue working to secure the safe release of the abductees.