Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has signed Executive Order No. 002 of 2026, introducing new security and traffic control measures, including a restriction on night operations of commercial motorcycles across the state.
The directive, signed on Friday in Ibadan, also tightens enforcement of vehicle registration laws and strengthens overall traffic management in a bid to curb rising criminal activities.
As part of the order, commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, are now prohibited from operating between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. statewide.
The government said the decision became necessary following growing security challenges, including the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, who have remained in captivity for over 20 days.
Makinde said the executive order was aimed at ensuring full compliance with existing regulations on vehicle and motorcycle registration, noting that security agencies have increasingly faced difficulties tracking unregistered vehicles used for criminal activities.
He added that the new framework empowers law enforcement agencies to arrest offenders, impound vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles found violating the directive, and prosecute those involved in line with the law.
The governor, while expressing concern over the Oriire abduction incident, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims, stressing that government had not relented despite limited public disclosures on operational actions.
He appealed for calm and understanding, saying silence from authorities should not be mistaken for inaction, as security agencies continue to work on the rescue operation.
Makinde also urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible intelligence, noting that security is a collective responsibility. He encouraged the public to report emergencies through the state’s toll-free line, 615.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, explained that enforcement of the order would be carried out by relevant agencies, including the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), the police and other security outfits, with offenders to be prosecuted through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The event was attended by top government officials and security stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, and the Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, among others.
