The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has relaxed the curfew imposed on 10 local government areas following a review of the security situation after the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area.
It stated that residents of the affected local government areas could now resume their normal daily activities, just as the government assured that security agencies remained on high alert to prevent further criminal attacks.
The curfew, which was imposed as part of emergency measures to contain insecurity after the abduction incident, initially ran from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily before it was extended by an additional 24 hours on Thursday.
The affected local government areas are Atiba, Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Olorunsogo, Oriire, Oorelope, Saki East and Saki West, all of which share boundaries with the Old Oyo National Park, an area that has increasingly come under security surveillance.
Announcing the lifting of the restriction in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said the decision followed an assessment of the prevailing security situation in the affected areas.
He thanked residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation during the enforcement of the curfew, describing their support as vital to the government’s efforts to restore peace and order.
“The government appreciates the cooperation and understanding shown by residents throughout the period of the curfew,” Oyelade said.
He, however, assured residents that the state government was not lowering its guard, stressing that security agencies would continue to monitor developments and intensify operations aimed at apprehending those responsible for the kidnapping.
According to the commissioner, efforts are ongoing to bring the kidnapping episode to a successful conclusion and strengthen security across the affected communities.
The government urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, assuring citizens that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence of criminal activities in the border communities.
The lifting of the curfew is expected to restore economic and social activities in the affected local government areas, where residents and businesses had been operating under movement restrictions since the security measure was introduced.
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