The Oyo State Government has lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park, following intensified security operations aimed at rescuing pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The announcement was made on Saturday in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade.
He directed residents of the affected local government areas to resume normal activities, assuring them that security agencies would continue operations to end 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.
The curfew was initially imposed for 48 hours beginning June 24, running daily from 4pm to 8am across the 10 affected local government areas. It was later extended by an additional 24 hours before its eventual suspension.
The measure was introduced to support security operations targeting kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within the Old Oyo National Park axis.
The affected local government areas include Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.
The curfew followed the May 15 attack on three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where armed men abducted dozens of pupils and teachers in coordinated raids that heightened concerns over insecurity in the South-West.
Since the incident, security agencies including the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps and others have intensified rescue operations. Authorities have repeatedly assured residents that efforts to secure the victims’ release remain ongoing.
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