The Oyo State Government has lifted the curfew earlier imposed on 10 local government areas following the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area, assuring residents that security agencies remain on top of the situation.
In a statement on Saturday in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade disclosed that residents can now resume their normal activities.
The government had initially imposed a 16-hour curfew in the affected local government areas before extending it by an additional 24 hours as part of efforts to strengthen security operations in the area.
The affected LGAs are Oriire LGA headquarters, Ikoyi-Ile; Orelope LGA headquarters, Igboho; Irepo LGA headquarters, Kisi; Saki West LGA headquarters, Saki, and Saki East LGA headquarters, Ago-Amodu.
Others are Atisbo LGA headquarters, Tede /Ago-Are; Itesiwaju LGA headquarters, Otu; Iseyin LGA headquarters, Iseyin; Olorunsogo LGA headquarters, Igbeti, and Atiba LGA headquarters, Offa-Meta, in Oyo town.
Oyelade expressed the government’s appreciation to residents for their cooperation, patience and understanding throughout the period of the restriction.
The commissioner added that the state government was closely monitoring the security situation and reassured residents that efforts are ongoing to bring the kidnapping episode to an end.
Credible News reports that the affected LGAs border the Old Oyo National Park where terrorists are beleived to have camped over 40 students and teachers kidnapped on May 15 from their school at Oriire Local Government Area.
The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared indefinite strike over the abduction of the students.
The curfew was part of the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges in communities located around the Old Oyo National Park.
NAN