The Oyo State Government has announced a temporary curfew across 10 local government areas as part of efforts to strengthen security operations around the Old Oyo National Park, where kidnapped pupils and teachers are believed to be held.
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‎According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the restriction will run from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily and will take effect from Wednesday. The measure is expected to remain in place for an initial period of 48 hours.
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‎The affected local government areas include Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.
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‎Government officials said the curfew forms part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other security threats in communities bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
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‎The decision comes in the wake of the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, during which 46 people—39 pupils and seven teachers—were reportedly abducted by gunmen.
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‎The victims were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in a coordinated assault that shocked residents and triggered widespread concern over security in the area.
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‎The attack also claimed the life of a teacher, Joel Adesiyan. In a separate incident, one of the kidnapped victims, Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed while in captivity, with footage of the act later circulating online.
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‎To strengthen rescue operations, the Federal Government has deployed additional security resources to the state. Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, announced the deployment of special forces, surveillance drones and intelligence aircraft to support efforts to locate the victims.
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‎President Bola Tinubu has also approved the deployment of 1,000 forest guards to work alongside security agencies and local hunters in tracking down the kidnappers and securing the affected communities.
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‎Security sources indicate that military personnel have established positions along major access routes leading into the Old Oyo National Park, tightening surveillance around the expansive forest area believed to be harbouring the abductors.
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‎Residents of the affected local government areas have been urged to comply with the curfew while security agencies continue operations aimed at restoring peace and ensuring the safe return of the kidnapped pupils and teachers.
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