Edu and Ifelodun Local Government Areas in Kwara State have imposed a 24-hour curfew to tackle rising banditry and kidnappings in their communities.

In separate statements, both authorities directed that there would be no human or vehicular movement within their respective districts during the curfew period. The move is aimed at supporting ongoing security clearance operations in the area.

According to a statement by the Edu LGA Council Media Team and Communications Strategic Unit on Tuesday, the council chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, announced a 24-hour curfew on the Gbugbu community, including the popular international market in the area.

The statement noted that the curfew would take effect from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

“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,” the statement said.

It added: “This means human and vehicular movement is prohibited in the area under curfew. This is a security decision. Further reviews will be communicated.”

Similarly, in another statement on Wednesday, Abdulquadri Jimba, Chief Press Secretary to the Ifelodun LGA chairman, Hon. Abdulrasheed Yusuf, announced a 24-hour curfew on the entire Oro-ago district in the local government area.

“The curfew goes into effect by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in a coordinated effort to put terrorists in disarray and protect lives and property in 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,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the development when the state executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday.

He noted that bandits are currently in disarray due to the intensified security operations.

“Coupled with the issue of bandits’ informants prevalent in the communities, the curfew will help to track and apprehend criminal elements that would be escaping from the area with their families and assist in identifying some of their informants.

“The curfew is in support of the ongoing security clearance operation in the area,” he said.