Oyo Governor Makinde Bans Nighttime Okada Operations

On Friday, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State announced a nighttime ban on commercial motorcycle operations, known as Okada, as part of urgent security measures to combat a kidnapping crisis in the state. The ban prohibits motorcycle operations from 10:30 PM to 5:30 AM.

Governor Makinde stated that the government will not relent until kidnapped individuals, including teachers and schoolchildren, are safely returned home. This decision follows a mass abduction that occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed gunmen targeted three school communities in Oriir Local Government Area, abducting 39 students, including nursery pupils as young as two years old, along with seven teachers.

The governor emphasized the pain experienced by families of the victims and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring their safe return.