Kwara Declares 24-Hour Curfew in Ifelodun and Edu Local Government Areas Amid Surge in Insecurity

Authorities in Kwara State have declared strategic curfews across several local government areas to bolster regional security. This decision follows a series of security assessments aimed at neutralising criminal threats within the state. Consequently, the affected regions face varying levels of movement restrictions to facilitate ongoing military and police operations.

In the Oro-Ago District of Ifelodun Local Government Area, officials have imposed a stringent 24-hour curfew. This total lockdown follows a spike in kidnapping incidents and communal tensions within the axis. Local council leaders insist that the move is necessary to protect lives and property immediately. Residents must remain indoors as security agencies conduct thorough clearance operations in the surrounding forests.

Furthermore, a partial curfew now affects two other local government areas as a precautionary measure. In these zones, movement is prohibited from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am until further notice. These restrictions aim to prevent the influx of criminal elements from neighbouring states into Kwara. Authorities have deployed additional security personnel to man checkpoints and enforce compliance along major transit routes.

The Kwara State Government has appealed for the total cooperation of all traditional and community leaders. They emphasized that these temporary hardships are vital for ensuring long-term stability and economic growth. Security forces have received strict instructions to act professionally while enforcing the new directives. However, individuals found violating the curfew without valid emergency reasons will face legal prosecution.

Medical personnel and essential service providers are largely exempt from these restrictions upon providing valid identification. Businesses within the affected districts have been urged to adjust their operating hours to ensure safety. The government promises to review the security situation regularly and lift the curfews as soon as possible. For now, vigilance remains the priority for all citizens across the troubled local government areas.