Oyo abduction: Makinde relaxes curfew

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has lifted relaxed the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, on Saturday said the lifting of the curfew followed  intensified security operations to rescue pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.

The government instructed residents of the affected local government areas to resume their normal activities, assuring them that security agencies would continue operations aimed at tackling the kidnapping crisis.

“The government is closely monitoring the security situation, and efforts are ongoing to bring the kidnapping episode to an end,” Oyelade said.

Recall that the curfew was initially imposed for 48 hours from June 24, running daily from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. across the 10 local government areas surrounding the Old Oyo National Park. It was later extended by an additional 24 hours.

The State government said the restriction was introduced to support ongoing security operations targeting kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within the area.

The affected local government areas are Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.