Curfew: Makinde locks down communities bordering national park to aid rescue of abducted schoolchildren; restrictions run 16 hours daily

The Oyo State Government has declared a stringent 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park as part of intensified security efforts aimed at locating and rescuing the 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted on 15 May 2026.

The curfew takes effect on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, and will operate daily from 4:00 pm to 8:00 am for an initial period of 48 hours.

Governor Seyi Makinde approved the measure through a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde. The directive, made public on Tuesday evening, represents an escalation of government response to the ongoing security crisis in the affected communities.

The curfew affects the local government areas of Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba. All 10 councils share borders with the Old Oyo National Park, where security officials have concentrated search operations since the May abductions.

Curfew aims to secure rescue breakthrough

The emergency curfew represents government’s determination to create operational conditions conducive to locating the abducted victims. The measure is aimed at safeguarding lives and property whilst addressing security concerns in communities located around the Old Oyo National Park.

Governor Makinde previously indicated that the 46 abducted individuals, comprising 7 teachers and 39 students from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, remain within the vast expanse of the national park. The park covers approximately 2,500 square kilometres across parts of the 10 LGAs affected by the curfew.

“The size and difficult terrain of the area pose significant operational challenges for security personnel, requiring patience, strategic coordination, and sustained efforts to ensure a successful rescue operation,” the governor said.

The governor acknowledged that the size and difficult terrain of the park pose significant operational challenges for security personnel. He stated that successful rescue operations require patience, strategic coordination, and sustained efforts by security agencies.

Curfew addresses operational constraints

Security experts have long highlighted the strategic disadvantage posed by the park’s vast territory and challenging geography. The 16-hour daily curfew is intended to restrict movement that might aid the abductors or complicate rescue operations.

The curfew will prevent unauthorised movement during critical hours, potentially disabling supply lines to criminal elements whilst enabling security agencies greater operational freedom during restricted periods. Residents of affected areas have been urged to comply with the directive and cooperate with security agencies during the period of restriction.

Curfew follows police denial of relocation claims

The curfew announcement came after the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports suggesting the abducted victims had been relocated to Kaduna State via helicopter. The police stated that reports of victim relocation were “entirely false, unverified, misleading, and devoid of any factual basis.”

However, the police command did not provide confirmation of the abductees’ current location or condition, citing security reasons for withholding operational details.

Curfew context amid ongoing crisis

The security measure reflects escalating government response to a crisis now in its 40th day. The abduction on 15 May 2026 sparked immediate national outcry, teacher strikes across Oyo State, and demands for government action at federal and state levels.

Since the initial abduction, the situation has evolved into a major governance challenge. The indefinite teachers’ strike, which commenced on 1 June 2026, remains in effect, disrupting education across Oyo State and creating pressure on government to resolve the crisis.

The curfew represents an attempt to move beyond security rhetoric to concrete operational measures designed to yield results in rescue operations.