Oyo State imposes curfew in 10 LGAs as search for abducted students and teachers continues

The Oyo State Government has announced a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas near the Old Oyo National Park. This is part of efforts to rescue over 40 pupils and teachers who were kidnapped from their schools in Oriire local government area on May 15.

The curfew, approved by Governor Seyi Makinde, will start on Wednesday. It will last from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day for an initial period of 48 hours. The local government areas affected are Oriire, Oorelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde, explained that the curfew aims to strengthen security in communities close to the national park.

He called on residents in the affected areas to follow the rules and work with security agencies to make sure the curfew is effective.

Security forces are stepping up rescue operations around the Old Oyo National Park. They have reportedly blocked important escape routes used by the kidnappers. But the Oyo State Government has not shared details about the specific threats that led to the curfew.

This announcement comes as security concerns rise in Oyo State after the abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers. Armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15. They took many pupils, teachers, and school staff. The schools attacked are Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and Community Grammar School and L.A Primary School in Esiele.

During the raid, the attackers also killed a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, before taking the victims into the forests around the Old Oyo National Park. The incident caused widespread anger in Oyo State, leading to school closures and protests by residents and civil society groups demanding urgent government action to save the victims.

Since the kidnappings, security agencies have been conducting thorough search-and-rescue operations in the forests and remote areas near the national park. These rescue missions have faced challenges. Speaking to protesters in Ibadan on June 16, Governor Makinde revealed that a Nigerian Army lieutenant was killed in a rescue operation. He called the officer’s death a painful loss in the ongoing efforts to free the schoolchildren and teachers.

“We have lost men, even soldiers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago,” Mr Makinde said.

The governor assured that Oyo State would not let this abduction turn into a long-term tragedy like the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping. He added that security agencies are using all available resources to ensure the safe return of the victims while trying to reduce further loss of lives.

The Old Oyo National Park and nearby forests have received more attention due to their use by criminal groups involved in kidnappings, banditry, and other violent crimes. Earlier in January, five officers protecting the National Park Service were killed by gunmen in an attack on the National Park Office in Oloka Village, Oriire Local Government Area.

Security experts have warned that the large forest areas connecting parts of Oyo, Kwara, and Niger states provide hiding places for armed groups operating across state lines. Residents of communities around the park have also expressed worries about repeated attacks, kidnappings, and violent incidents in recent years.

The new curfew is expected to limit movement in the affected local government areas while security forces continue their operations in and around the forest area.