A prominent youth leader and Mogaji of Ibadanland, Chief Rahmon Akintunde Alawode, has condemned the abduction of three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as another disturbing reminder of the urgent need to strengthen security across the state.
The abduction, which reportedly occurred while the victims were inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises, was confirmed by the Oyo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer.
Reacting to the incident, Mogaji Alawode expressed concern over the safety of residents, workers and farmers, insisting that the protection of lives and property must remain the foremost responsibility of any government.
“Stop toying with our lives. The people of Oyo State deserve to live, work and conduct their legitimate activities without the constant fear of being kidnapped. How can workers carry out their official duties within an institutional environment and still become victims of abduction?” he queried.
Alawode called on Governor Seyi Makinde to take urgent and measurable steps to address the recurring security concerns in the state, stressing that public office comes with the responsibility to protect citizens, not merely to pursue political ambitions.
He also questioned the administration’s priorities, arguing that the growing public concern over insecurity demands the Governor’s full attention rather than a distraction by his reported presidential ambition.
According to him, the timing of the renewed concerns over kidnapping, particularly in the context of the Governor’s declaration of interest in the presidency, raises questions that the state government must be prepared to answer.
“Since Governor Makinde declared his intention to pursue the presidency, concerns over kidnapping and the safety of residents have continued to feature prominently in public discourse. The Governor must be prepared to answer difficult questions about the security situation in Oyo State and demonstrate, with concrete actions, that protecting the people remains his highest priority,” he stated.
The youth leader emphasised that the safety of the people of Oyo State must not be subordinated to political calculations or personal ambitions, noting that no aspiration for higher office should take precedence over the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
He urged the state government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, enhance surveillance around vulnerable communities and institutional facilities, and ensure that those responsible for criminal activities are identified and brought to justice.
Alawode further called on the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted CRIN staff members and ensure that their families and colleagues receive appropriate support during this difficult period.
He maintained that the government must move beyond routine assurances and provide residents with clear, measurable and sustained security interventions.
“The people are tired of hearing promises while fear continues to disrupt their daily lives. Farmers, researchers, traders, students and other hardworking residents deserve a secure environment. Oyo State cannot afford to treat the safety of its citizens as a secondary concern,” he added.
Alawode urged Governor Makinde to demonstrate leadership by making security a central priority of his administration and ensuring that residents can go about their legitimate activities without fear of abduction.
He concluded that the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government and that the people of Oyo State deserve accountability, decisive action and lasting solutions to insecurity.
