The Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, alongside the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Abayomi Fagbenro, on Wednesday visited the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria following the abduction of two members of staff of the institute by suspected kidnappers.
The delegation, which met with the management and staff of the institute in Ibadan, described the incident as disturbing and called on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security around the research institute due to its vast and porous landmass linked to thick forests stretching towards Ogun State.
Addressing workers during the visit, the council chairman said the institution had become vulnerable because of the absence of perimeter fencing despite occupying about 1,000 hectares of land.
“This institution sits on an expansive landmass of about 1,000 hectares, which is roughly 2,500 acres, yet there is no perimeter fencing around it.
“That alone makes the place highly vulnerable and a soft target for criminal elements and that’s why the kidnappers succeeded in their attack on the Institute,” he said.
According to him, the attackers reportedly invaded the institute through the rear axis connected to dense forests along the Ijebu-Ode corridor.
“The kidnappers came through the back where this institute is connected to a vast thick forest stretching towards Ijebu-Ode.
“That terrain naturally poses a security challenge and this is why we are calling on the Federal Government to urgently secure this institution,” he added.
The chairman maintained that the security architecture put in place by both the state and local governments had significantly reduced criminal activities within surrounding communities.
“The security arrangements established by the state government, local authorities and community-based security networks have made it practically impossible for these criminals to operate freely around our communities.
“Our local vigilante groups and conventional security operatives have continued to dominate the area effectively,” he stated.
He, however, alleged that local collaborators aided the operation of the kidnappers by supplying information to them about activities in the Institute.
“These criminals could not have carried out this attack without insider information. They appeared to have known about the international event that took place in the institute before launching the operation.
“Clearly, there are local collaborators acting as informants,” the chairman said.
He further recalled that a similar pattern was observed during a previous kidnapping incident at the institute when top visitors from Abeokuta visited the facility for official engagements.
“We noticed the same trend during the last kidnapping incident here when the institute hosted some high-profile visitors from Abeokuta.
“This suggests that these criminals monitor activities within the institute through informants,” he added.
The delegation later visited families of the abducted staff members and reassured them of government’s determination to secure the victims’ release.
“We understand the pain and anxiety the families are going through, but government will not relent. Every effort is being intensified to ensure that their loved ones return safely,” the chairman assured.
He also disclosed that an expanded security meeting involving traditional rulers and stakeholders would be convened within the week.
“We are already planning an expanded meeting with the traditional council, community leaders and security stakeholders to fashion out a new line of action that will strengthen security around this axis,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on some media platforms alleging another mass abduction in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command clarified that the only reported incident was the abduction of two staff members of CRIN on May 19, 2026.
The statement noted that the incident was reported at about 6 p.m. at the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters by the Chief Security Officer of the institute.
According to the police, “about six armed men invaded the area before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, was said to have ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams and operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The police added that intensive bush-combing and coordinated search operations had commenced across forest locations linked to the incident.
The command disclosed that operatives later encountered two suspects identified simply as Shehu and Abubakar during one of the operations.
“Upon preliminary interrogation, the duo volunteered to lead the operatives to the hideout of their accomplices. However, while approaching the suspected location, the team came under gunfire attack from armed men believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate,” the statement said.
It added that the operatives successfully repelled the attack and extracted the suspects, who are currently in custody for further investigation.
The command also warned against the spread of unverified reports capable of creating panic among residents.
“The dissemination of false and misleading reports is highly irresponsible and capable of creating unnecessary fear and tension among residents,” the police stated.
The command reassured residents that robust security measures had been emplaced across the affected axis and other strategic locations within the state to deny criminal elements operational foothold.
