Two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) have been abducted by suspected kidnappers in Oyo State, prompting an intensive security operation by the police and other security agencies.
The victims, said to be employees of the institute, were reportedly kidnapped while carrying out official duties around the institute’s operational area. Sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the abductors ambushed the workers and whisked them away to an unknown destination, creating panic among colleagues and residents in the area.
Confirming the development, the Oyo State Police Command said it had launched a coordinated rescue operation and had already arrested two suspects believed to be linked to the abduction.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state stated that security operatives acted swiftly after receiving distress information, leading to the arrest of the suspects during preliminary investigations. According to the police, efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining members of the kidnapping gang and secure the safe release of the abducted workers.
“The command has intensified search and rescue efforts, while investigations are ongoing to dismantle the criminal network behind the attack,” the police spokesperson said.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, especially in communities located near forests and research facilities. Staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute and residents have called on the government and security agencies to strengthen surveillance and protection around the institute and surrounding areas.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist in the rescue mission and the arrest of other suspects involved.
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, located in Ibadan, is one of the country’s leading agricultural research institutions, playing a vital role in cocoa production and related crop development.
Vice President has revealed that some individuals allegedly attempted to sow discord within the Presidency by falsely claiming that he harboured ambitions to eliminate President and take over power.
Shettima made the revelation while speaking at a public event in Abuja, where he reflected on his relationship with President Tinubu and the challenges of political leadership in Nigeria. According to the Vice President, certain political actors tried to create suspicion between him and the President through unfounded allegations and deliberate misinformation.
He stated that some people approached President Tinubu with claims that he was plotting against him and secretly nursing presidential ambitions. However, Shettima said the President dismissed such insinuations because of the trust and understanding that exist between them.
The Vice President described Tinubu as a courageous and politically experienced leader who understands the nature of power politics and refuses to be distracted by rumours or propaganda. He noted that political offices often attract intrigues, betrayals, and attempts to create unnecessary tension among leaders.
Shettima reiterated his loyalty to President Tinubu and affirmed his commitment to supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He stressed that he has no reason to undermine the President, adding that their partnership was built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for Nigeria’s development.
He also urged politicians and supporters to avoid actions capable of overheating the polity, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation in addressing the nation’s economic and security challenges.
The Vice President further assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remains focused on delivering good governance, economic reforms, improved security, and infrastructural development despite political distractions and criticisms from opponents.
Prominent Yoruba Nation agitator, , popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on the Federal Government and governors in the South-West region to urgently approve the commencement of operations for the Iru Ekun Security Network to combat rising insecurity across Yorubaland.
Igboho made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday while sympathizing with families of victims and parents of pupils abducted during recent coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to him, all necessary arrangements and operational procedures for the security outfit have been completed, while members of the network are fully prepared to move into forests once official authorization is granted.
The activist expressed deep concern over the worsening wave of kidnappings, killings, and attacks allegedly perpetrated by bandits and criminal herders across the South-West and parts of Kwara State. He particularly lamented the abduction of school pupils and teachers, as well as the gruesome killing of a mathematics teacher during the attacks.
Igboho explained that despite the readiness of the Iru Ekun Security Network to launch operations against criminal elements terrorizing communities, the group would not embark on any mission without the approval and collaboration of government authorities and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.
He also appealed to respected traditional rulers across the South-West to intervene by urging relevant authorities to expedite approval for the security outfit. According to him, the region cannot continue to watch helplessly while innocent citizens are being kidnapped and murdered by criminal gangs hiding in forests.
The call follows Friday’s coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area, where dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted by gunmen. The incident further escalated tension after kidnappers reportedly beheaded a mathematics teacher on Sunday.
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has strongly condemned the gunmen attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and called for decisive action from all stakeholders to end what he termed a guerrilla war.
The attacks, which occurred on Saturday, involved gunmen carrying out coordinated assaults on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The gunmen abducted students and staff from the schools, and killled a school teacher, Mr Michael Opadokun.
In a statement addressing the grave security breach on Monday, Iba Adams expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and the trauma inflicted on the affected communities.
He described the invasion as a deplorable act that threatens the safety and future of the children and the educational system in the region.
The Yoruba generalissimo recalled several instances, where he had called on the Federal Government, state governments in the southwest, and relevant security agencies to take proactive measures to protect the people in the face of growing threats of invasion by faceless bandits who he noted had infiltrated border communities and forests.
Adams restated his call for state police as a way of stopping the incessant security breaches by the terrorists across the country.
He urged all relevant security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to collaborate more effectively to restore peace and security in the Southwest.
He emphasised the urgent need for enhanced intelligence gathering, proactive patrols, and community engagement to prevent further attacks on schools and other vulnerable targets.
Highlighting the importance of education as the foundation for the region’s development, Iba Adams urged the government to prioritise the protection of educational institutions and ensure the safe return of all abducted pupils and staff.
He also appealed to the people of the Southwest to remain vigilant and support security efforts aimed at curbing rising insecurity.
“There is a critical need for a united front in tackling insecurity in the Southwest, safeguarding the lives of citizens, and preserving the sanctity of education,” Adams noted.
Desmond Elliot, lawmaker representing Surulere 1 at the Lagos House of Assembly, says he believed the plot to impeach Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the House in 2025 had the backing of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the entire episode left members of the Lagos assembly thoroughly confused.
In January 2025, Obasa was impeached as speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly after majority of legislators accused him of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction of school pupils, as well as the killings of three individuals, including two teachers and one motorcycle rider, in Ahoro-Esiele, located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that the suspects are currently assisting the police with their ongoing investigation.
“We have six suspects in custody, and they are assisting the investigation.”
The suspects, as reliably informed, were said to be informants to the bandits who were apprehended at different locations by joint security operatives comprising Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Agro-Rangers.
It was further gathered that the suspected informants were tracked through their various telephone conversations with the abductors on how to navigate the National Park to a safe heaven.
Tension is mounting within the Oyo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as concerned youth stakeholders and party members have formally petitioned the national leadership over alleged plans to impose candidates ahead of the party’s forthcoming primary elections.
In an open petition dated Monday, 18 May 2026 and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, and the National Secretary, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the concerned members urged the leadership to urgently intervene and protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process in Oyo State.
The petition received by Oduduwa News, signed by “Concerned Youth Stakeholders, African Democratic Congress, Oyo State,” raised alarm over what it described as deliberate attempts by certain individuals within the state chapter to impose preferred candidates, particularly for the Oyo Central Senatorial District ticket and the House of Representatives seat for Oyo Federal Constituency, ahead of the primary election scheduled for Friday, 22 May 2026.
According to the petitioners, the alleged moves have sparked widespread concern among party faithful, youth stakeholders and aspirants who have invested significant time, resources and credibility in building the ADC’s grassroots structures across the state. They expressed worry that credible aspirants are being sidelined through what they termed “backdoor arrangements,” while candidates with little connection to the grassroots and limited visibility among party members are being promoted.
The aggrieved members emphasized that internal democracy remains the bedrock of any credible political party, warning that any attempt to impose candidates could undermine trust, discourage loyal members and damage the ADC’s growing reputation as a viable alternative political platform.
“The imposition of candidates sends the wrong signal to Nigerians, especially young people who are beginning to see the ADC as a genuine platform for transparent and people-driven leadership,” the petition stated.
They called on the national leadership to ensure that the forthcoming primary election in Oyo State is conducted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner, stressing that every aspirant must be given an equal opportunity to test their popularity through a legitimate democratic process without interference or manipulation.
The petitioners also urged the party leadership to closely monitor developments in Oyo State and guarantee that only financial members of the party are allowed to make independent choices based on their convictions and the overall interest of the ADC.
Describing the current moment as a defining period for the party, the concerned stakeholders warned that decisions taken now would significantly shape public confidence in the ADC ahead of future elections.
“We remain committed members of the ADC and believe that justice, fairness and transparency must prevail,” the petition concluded.
As political activities intensify ahead of the party primaries, attention is now focused on how the national leadership will respond to the concerns raised, amid growing calls for accountability and strict adherence to democratic principles within the party.
The copy of the petition is reproduced below.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Sen. David Mark The National Chairman African Democratic Congress No. 2 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, FCT-Abuja
H. E. Rauf Aregbesola The National Secretary African Democratic Congress No. 2 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, FCT-Abuja
Distinguished leaders of our great Party,
OPEN PETITION: SAVE ADC IN OYO STATE FROM CANDIDATE IMPOSITION
We write under the umbrella of concerned youth stakeholders and committed members of the African Democratic Congress in Oyo State who remain deeply committed to the growth of our party and the democratic values it represents.
As the party prepares for its forthcoming primary elections scheduled for Friday, 22 May 2026, we feel compelled to draw the urgent attention of the national leadership to disturbing developments within certain quarters in Oyo State where deliberate attempts are allegedly being made to impose preferred candidates on party members, particularly in relation to the party’s Oyo Central Senatorial District ticket and the House of Representatives ticket for Oyo Federal Constituency.
These reports have created growing concerns among party faithful, youth stakeholders and aspirants who have invested time, resources and credibility in building the party’s structure across the state. Of particular concern are alleged attempts to sideline credible aspirants through backdoor arrangements while promoting candidates who are largely unknown to grassroots members and have little or no connection with the struggles and aspirations of the people they seek to represent.
We believe strongly that the strength of any political party lies in its ability to uphold internal democracy. The imposition of candidates undermines trust, discourages genuine party members and damages the credibility of the party before the general public. It also sends the wrong message to young people who are beginning to see the ADC as a genuine alternative platform for transparent and people-driven leadership.
We therefore call on the national leadership of our great party to urgently intervene and ensure that the forthcoming primary election in Oyo State is conducted in a manner that is free, fair, transparent and credible. Every aspirant must be allowed to test their popularity through a legitimate democratic process without interference, manipulation or imposition.
We also urge the national leadership to closely monitor activities in Oyo State and ensure that financial members of the party are allowed to make independent choices based on their convictions and the interest of the party.
This is a defining moment for our party. The decisions made now will shape public confidence in the ADC ahead of future elections. We must not allow avoidable actions to weaken the trust that many Nigerians are beginning to place in our party.
We remain committed members of the ADC and believe that justice, fairness and transparency must prevail.
Signed,
Concerned Youth Stakeholders African Democratic Congress Oyo State, Nigeria
The government of Oyo State has confirmed the death of Michael Oyedokun, a school teacher who was among individuals abducted by suspected bandits in the state, in a development that has sparked widespread grief and renewed concerns over insecurity.
Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed the tragic incident while assuring residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the release of other victims still in captivity. The governor condemned the killing, describing it as a painful and unacceptable act, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
According to available reports, Oyedokun was kidnapped alongside others during a recent attack, with the abductors reportedly making demands as negotiations for the victims’ release continued. The unfortunate confirmation of his death has sent shockwaves through the education community and beyond, with colleagues, students, and community members mourning the loss of a dedicated educator.
Governor Makinde stated that security operatives, including local intelligence teams and law enforcement agencies, have been deployed to track down the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. He also assured affected families that the government would not relent until the remaining abducted persons are safely rescued.
The latest incident has again raised calls for stronger security interventions in vulnerable communities across Oyo State, as residents urge authorities to intensify efforts against rising cases of kidnapping and violent attacks. Community leaders and civil society groups have also appealed for enhanced collaboration between government and local vigilante networks to prevent further tragedies.
A former presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Hashim has issued a strong condemnation of the abduction of schoolchildren from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, and recent coordinated attacks on multiple schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State within the Ogbomosho axis, describing the incidents as “a brutal assault on Nigeria’s future.”
The affected schools in Oyo State include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A Primary School, Esiele.
In a sharply worded reaction, Hashim said the targeting of schoolchildren marks a dangerous escalation in terror tactics and a direct attack on education, stability, and National hope.
“Schools must never become theatres of fear,” he stated, warning that repeated attacks on learning institutions risk entrenching insecurity across generations.
He extended condolences to affected families while urging the Federal Government and security agencies to act swiftly and decisively, insisting that the safe and immediate rescue of the children must be treated as a national priority.
The former presidential candidate said the incidents expose persistent weaknesses in Nigeria’s rural security framework, where insurgent groups continue to exploit ungoverned spaces, poverty, and limited State presence.
Referencing the recent elimination of an ISIS commander through joint Nigerian–U.S. operations, Hashim acknowledged the importance of military gains but cautioned against overreliance on isolated successes.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder that tactical victories alone cannot secure the Nation,” he said.
He called for a decisive shift toward a comprehensive National security doctrine, combining sustained military pressure with intelligence coordination, border control, rural security expansion, and targeted socio-economic interventions.
Hashim also urged the international community to pay closer attention to the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria, warning that its implications extend beyond National borders into the wider West and Central African region.
He criticised the lack of sustained global urgency, particularly regarding repeated abductions of African children, cautioning against growing international indifference.
“The world must not become desensitised,” he said.
Concluding, he warned that Nigeria cannot build a stable future under the shadow of fear. “No nation can thrive when its children are hunted and its schools are under siege.”
The rescue operation for the abducted teachers and students in the Ahoro-Esinele/Yawota area of Oriire Local Government has reportedly become more difficult, as suspected bandits are now using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to prevent security operatives from surrounding them.
According to Eclat media , a joint team of soldiers, operatives of the Amotekun Corps, Agro-Rangers, and local hunters on Saturday evening traced the kidnappers and their captives to a hill near Igbeti. The rescue team was said to be advancing towards the location when the gunmen opened heavy fire.
A victim receiving treatment at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, reportedly disclosed that the bullets fired by the bandits had little effect on most of the security personnel, forcing the attackers to resort to IEDs. The explosives reportedly caught the rescue team off guard, leading to the death of one operative while several others sustained injuries.
The source further explained that the cries of the abducted children could be heard during the operation.
