Oyo State imposes 16-hour curfew in 10 districts

The Oyo State government has imposed a 16-hour dusk-to-dawn curfew on ten local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park, effective from Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The movement restriction, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., will last for an initial 48 hours as part of intensified security measures.

The curfew directly follows a series of protests over the mass abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state's Oriire Local Government Area in May. Security officials believe the victims are being held within the vast forest corridor of the Old Oyo National Park, which spans approximately 2,500 square kilometers. The government stated the measure is aimed at flushing out criminal elements using the forest reserves as hideouts and to facilitate ongoing search-and-rescue operations by security agencies.

The affected local government areas are Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba. Residents have been urged to comply fully with the directive to restore peace and ensure safety.

Protests have continued in the state, with demonstrators demanding government action to secure the release of the abducted victims. A...