KEY POINTS

• Oyo State has imposed a 16-hour curfew in 10 LGAs bordering the Old Oyo National Park to address insecurity and aid rescue efforts.
• The curfew, running from 4pm to 8am, is expected to support the search for 39 abducted schoolchildren and seven teachers.
• Police have dismissed reports that the victims were moved to Kaduna by helicopter, describing the claims as false and unverified.

The Oyo State Government has imposed a 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity and accelerate the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in the area.

The curfew, announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde, will take effect from Wednesday and run daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. for an initial period of two days.

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

According to the government, the restriction forms part of enhanced security measures aimed at supporting ongoing operations to rescue the 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted on May 15 in the area.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped within the region surrounding the Old Oyo National Park, a vast forest reserve that has become a focal point of security operations.

Makinde Says the abductees were still being held within the Old Oyo National Park

Earlier this month, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, disclosed that intelligence reports indicated the abductees were still being held within the Old Oyo National Park.

The governor explained that the park spans approximately 2,500 square kilometres and stretches across parts of the 10 local government areas affected by the curfew.

Makinde noted that the sheer size and difficult terrain of the forest present major challenges for security operatives involved in the rescue mission.

According to him, the operation requires patience, strategic planning and sustained coordination among security agencies to ensure the safe return of the victims.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that the abducted pupils and teachers had been transported from Oyo State to Kaduna State by helicopter.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the command described the claims as false, misleading and lacking any factual basis.

Police authorities urged members of the public to disregard the reports and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.

While refuting the helicopter movement claims, the police did not disclose the current location of the abductees or confirm whether they remain inside the national park.

Security agencies continue operations across the affected areas as efforts intensify to secure the release of the schoolchildren and teachers and restore normalcy to communities surrounding the Old Oyo National Park.