Makinde Justifies Imposition Of Curfew Over Insecurity

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has defended the imposition of curfew in ten local government areas of the state, saying that it was aimed at strengthening security operations and facilitating the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire local government area.

The governor, in his newsletter on Saturday, said the safety and well-being of residents remained the administration’s top priority, stressing that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ release.

The state government had initially imposed a two-day curfew in the affected local government areas before extending it by an additional 24 hours on Friday.

“I have spent the past several weeks preoccupied with the safety and well-being of the people of Oyo State, and they remain the foremost priority of this administration.

“Security agencies have continued intensive operations aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted children and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area.

“These efforts remain active and coordinated, with the government providing every necessary support to the security agencies involved.

“As part of these ongoing operations, we approved a temporary 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.

“The measure is intended to strengthen security operations and create the conditions required for rescue efforts to continue effectively,” the governor said.

Makinde urged residents of the affected local government areas to cooperate with security agencies throughout the curfew period.

He also assured residents that the government was making arrangements for schools to resume safely without compromising the security of pupils, teachers and their communities.

“While these security operations continue, our administration still has the responsibility of ensuring that essential public services continue to function.

“Preparations are therefore underway to ensure that schools can safely resume while every necessary precaution is taken to protect pupils, teachers and their communities.

“Education remains too important to be placed indefinitely on hold, and every decision continues to balance learning with the safety of our children,” he said.

The governor further disclosed that the state’s surveillance aircraft was in the final stages of delivery.

“Additional technical procedures required before handover have extended the anticipated delivery timeline beyond the previously projected June delivery date.

“These final processes are designed to ensure that every operational, regulatory and safety requirement has been fully satisfied before the aircraft enters service.

“Although this has resulted in a modest adjustment to the delivery schedule, it will ensure that the aircraft is delivered fully prepared for immediate operational deployment.’’