Kwara State governments have imposed a 24-hour curfew on parts of Edu and Ifelodun Local Government Areas as part of a stepped-up security response to escalating incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and violent crime in the region.
The emergency restrictions, announced by council officials in separate statements on Tuesday and Wednesday, aim to bolster ongoing security clearance operations by military and police forces that have been battling criminal networks accused of terrorising rural communities.
In Edu Local Government Area, Chairman Hon. Abdullahi Bello confirmed that the curfew affects the Gbugbu community, including the Gbugbu International Market, a key commercial hub that attracts traders from across the state and beyond. Bello said the 24-hour restriction began at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and covers both human and vehicular movements.
“The curfew is part of the measures to protect lives and property in the area as security forces continue their operation in areas of interest,” Bello said. “It is strictly a security intervention designed to give security agencies the space they need to carry out effective operations. The situation will be reviewed as developments unfold.”
Similarly, the Chair of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Abdul Rasheed Femi Yusuf, announced a curfew covering the entire Oro-Ago district, effective from 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. His statement emphasised that the restrictions back ongoing security clearance efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks within the area.
“Within this period, there will be no human or vehicular traffic in the entire district. This is in support of the ongoing security clearance operation in the area. Further reviews of this measure will be communicated,” Yusuf said.
Local authorities urged residents to remain calm, comply with the directives, and cooperate with security agencies to avoid confrontations and ensure the curfew’s success.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said the curfews will enhance the effectiveness of coordinated operations against bandit gangs and their supporters. Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Ojo said the strategy also seeks to disrupt informant networks that allegedly assist criminal elements.
“Bandits are currently in disarray due to the onslaught against them,” the police commissioner said. “Coupled with the issue of informants prevalent in some communities, the curfew will help to track and apprehend criminal elements attempting to flee with their families and assist in identifying their collaborators.”
Ojo noted that distinguishing between law-abiding residents and individuals linked to criminal activities has been a critical challenge for security operatives. He said restricting movement is expected to prevent suspects from escaping, expose criminal networks, and give security forces greater latitude to act without interference.
The imposition of the curfew comes amid growing public alarm over a series of violent crimes in parts of Kwara State. Reports indicate that bandit attacks, kidnappings for ransom, and rural insecurity have intensified in recent months, with forested areas often cited as hideouts for armed groups.
Residents have increasingly called for decisive government action after multiple abductions and assaults in neighbouring communities, contributing to a climate of fear and economic disruption. Local market activities and farming operations have been particularly affected, with some traders and farmers reluctant to travel outside their communities due to security concerns.
Security sources also tell journalists that coordinated offensive operations, combining ground forces with aerial support, have been deployed to flush out criminal hideouts around Edu, Ifelodun, and neighbouring districts, with mixed results.
Both local officials and security commanders appealed to residents to assist by reporting suspicious activity and avoiding actions that could hinder security efforts. While the curfew is expected to cause temporary hardship, particularly for traders and commuters, authorities maintain that it is essential for restoring peace and safeguarding communities.
