The Oyo State Government has announced the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park as part of intensified efforts to curb kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities threatening communities in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and will initially remain in force for 48 hours. Residents in the affected areas are required to observe movement restrictions between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. daily while security agencies carry out operations aimed at restoring peace and tracking down criminal elements.
The local government areas affected by the directive are Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba. The state government explained that the measure became necessary in view of increasing security concerns around the Old Oyo National Park and its surrounding communities.
Oyelade said the temporary restriction is intended to support ongoing military and security operations in the region and urged residents to cooperate fully with security personnel in order to safeguard lives and property.
The latest action follows a series of disturbing incidents linked to the Oriire axis, where communities have experienced repeated attacks by suspected armed groups. In May 2026, gunmen reportedly invaded schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers in one of the most serious attacks on educational institutions in the state in recent times.
The attackers were also reported to have killed at least one teacher during the assault, sparking widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of schools and rural communities. According to state authorities, many of the victims were subsequently taken into the vast forest areas within the Old Oyo National Park.
The Old Oyo National Park, which stretches across parts of Oyo State and neighbouring areas, has increasingly become a source of security concern due to its expansive and difficult terrain. Security experts say the dense forests and remote environment provide cover for kidnappers and armed groups, making rescue operations more challenging.
In response, security agencies have intensified search-and-rescue missions in and around the park, deploying personnel to track the abductors and secure the release of those still in captivity. Authorities say the curfew will create a more conducive environment for security forces to conduct operations without interference and restrict the movement of suspected criminals.
The state government reassured residents that the measure is temporary and aimed solely at ensuring the safety of citizens. It appealed for patience and understanding, emphasizing that public cooperation is essential to achieving lasting peace in the affected communities.
Observers note that the decision reflects growing concerns over the spread of kidnapping and violent crimes into previously peaceful areas of southwestern Nigeria. While states in the region have traditionally recorded lower levels of insecurity compared to parts of the North-West and North-East, recent incidents have raised fears that criminal groups are expanding their operations.
Security analysts have repeatedly called for stronger surveillance, improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration among federal and state security agencies to prevent forest reserves and national parks from becoming safe havens for criminal elements.
Residents and community leaders have also urged the government to sustain efforts aimed at strengthening local security architecture, enhancing border patrols and protecting schools from attacks.
As security operations continue, the Oyo State Government says it remains committed to restoring normalcy and ensuring that communities around the Old Oyo National Park are protected from criminal activities that threaten peace, education and economic livelihoods.
