School abduction: Oyo extends curfew in 10 LGs by 24 hours

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved a 24-hour extension of the curfew imposed on 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.

The extension was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde, in a memo issued on Thursday, according to a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

The state government had earlier announced a curfew from 4pm to 8am in the 10 local government areas on June 23, 2026.

According to the statement, with the extension, the curfew, which was initially scheduled to last 48 hours, will remain in force until Saturday, June 27, 2026.

The affected local government areas are “Oriire (headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile); Orelope (headquarters: Igboho); Irepo (headquarters: Kisi); Saki West (headquarters: Saki); Saki East (headquarters: Ago-Amodu); Atisbo (headquarters: Tede/Ago-Are); Itesiwaju (headquarters: Otu); Iseyin (headquarters: Iseyin); Olorunsogo (headquarters: Igbeti); and Atiba (headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).”

PUNCH Online reports that the directive is the latest security measure implemented following the May 15, 2026, bandits’ attack on three schools—Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School—in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

During the attack, bandits killed a teacher, while scores of schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped and have since been held captive. One teacher was also beheaded while in captivity.

The federal and state governments said they are working with security agencies to secure the release of the abductees unharmed.

Makinde has also repeatedly vowed to leave no stone unturned to ensure the safe release of the victims and reunite them with their families.