…tells FG to urgently construct perimeter fencing
The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, alongside the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Abayomi Fagbenro, had visited the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), 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.
To the Council boss, “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 are actingants,” 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 the government’s determination to secure the victims’ release.
“We understand the pain and anxiety the families are going through, but the 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.
