By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
Authorities in two local government areas of Kwara State, Edu and Ifelodun, have imposed separate 24-hour curfews on specific communities to facilitate ongoing military and police operations against banditry and kidnapping.
The councils announced that all human and vehicular movement has been prohibited in the affected districts to allow security forces to carry out clearance operations without civilian interference.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Edu LGA Council Media Team, the Council Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, announced a total lockdown on the Gbugbu community, including its popular international market.
The curfew became effective from 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
“The curfew is part of measures to protect lives and property in the area as security forces continue their operation in areas of interest,” the statement read. “Human and vehicular movement is prohibited in the area under curfew. This is a security decision; further reviews will be communicated.”
Similarly, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, through his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulquadri Jimba, declared a 24-hour curfew on the entire Oro-Ago District. This order took effect at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
“The curfew is a coordinated effort to put terrorists in disarray and protect lives and property. Within this period, there will be no human or vehicular traffic in the entire district to support the ongoing security clearance operation,” the statement noted.
Confirming the development, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, told executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ during a courtesy visit on Wednesday that the bandits are currently in disarray following the security onslaught.
“Coupled with the issue of bandits’ informants prevalent in the communities, the curfew will help to track and apprehend criminal elements attempting to escape the area with their families and assist in identifying their collaborators,” CP Ojo explained.