By Omowumi Hannah, Ibadan

A candidate for Oyo State House of Assembly, Ogbomoso North State Constituency, Hon Akin John Oke-Mountain, has called on residents of 10 local government areas under curfew in Oyo State to remain law-abiding as efforts to rescue kidnapped pupils and teachers of Oriire intensify.

The Ogbomoso North ADC candidate made the call in a personally signed press statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, stressing the need for cooperation with government.

The grassroots politician described the period as a trying time, saying residents must release information about any suspected individual or event in their communities for prompt security and government response.

Recall that the Seyi Makinde-led government made various security adjustments in Oyo State following the May 15 abduction of over 40 pupils and teachers in Esinle and Yawota communities. A similar incident was also recorded in Ibadan involving the younger sister of a former Minister of Power and her two sons.

On Tuesday evening, the government announced the imposition of curfew in 10 local government areas including Oriire (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile); Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho); Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi); Saki West (Headquarters: Saki); Saki East (Headquarters: Ago-Amodu); Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are); Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo) with enforcement beginning from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

The politician urged the state and federal governments to expedite action on the rescue mission and advocated for constant patrol by security agencies in major cities.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian-UK engineer called on residents across the state to remain vigilant and appealed to journalists and residents to desist from revealing security mechanisms on social media.

“Let everyone remain vigilant and desist from revealing security tactics on social media, especially content creators, journalists and residents, if insecurity will be totally addressed in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.