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Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

Gunmen have reportedly abducted three workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, triggering another security operation as police intensify efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, while the workers were inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises, according to the Oyo State Police Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the abduction, saying the command had launched a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers and was working to secure the victims’ safe release.

Police operatives are reportedly pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The command has also urged members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation or rescue operation to contact the authorities.

The latest attack has heightened concerns about the safety of staff members at the federal agricultural research institution, following previous reports of abductions involving people connected to the institute and its surrounding communities.

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In March 2026, gunmen reportedly abducted four cocoa farmers in the area around the institute, prompting security operations. Subsequent reports indicated that the victims were eventually freed following efforts by security personnel.

In another incident in May, two CRIN staff members were reportedly abducted after armed men invaded the institute’s premises. Police later announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with that case.

The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger security around the institute and neighbouring farming communities, where workers may need to conduct field inspections away from the main administrative facilities.

The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, a federal institution involved in research on cocoa and other industrial crops, plays an important role in agricultural development and the improvement of farming practices.

The abduction has raised fresh questions about the protection of agricultural researchers and field workers, particularly those whose duties require them to work on farms and other locations vulnerable to criminal attacks.

As of Friday, police reports identified three victims in the latest incident. The rescue operation and search for the suspected kidnappers were ongoing, with no further details about the victims’ identities or the circumstances of their possible release immediately confirmed.

Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses

A mother and her 14-year-old daughter have died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed onto their residence in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, amid allegations that warnings about the structure’s safety were ignored.

The victims were identified as Mrs Happiness Ugoagu and her daughter, Confidence, who were reportedly asleep in their home when the neighbouring building came crashing down at Anata Anaba, Okpoko.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night, October 7, according to eyewitness accounts, although an initial report by the state government described it as a Thursday morning incident.

The collapse trapped the mother and daughter beneath the debris, while other people caught in the rubble were reportedly rescued and taken to hospital.

The victims’ son, Chimobi Ugoagu, said he was outside the house when the building collapsed, while his mother and sister were inside. He alleged that residents had repeatedly warned the builder about the potential danger posed by the structure, but their concerns were not heeded.

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Residents also claimed that the building stood on waterlogged land and that an engineer had initially advised limiting the structure to two storeys because of the ground conditions. They alleged that construction continued to three storeys despite the reported warning.

Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, visited the scene and described the incident as unfortunate. He said the building was illegal and that authorities had previously issued a stop-work notice.

Ojukwu also blamed the collapse on the alleged use of substandard construction materials and ordered the demolition of the structure. He said the government was investigating other unapproved buildings under construction in the area.

Emergency responders, residents and local government officials took part in rescue and recovery operations. The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency deployed an excavator to assist with clearing the debris, while the National Emergency Management Agency dispatched a team to support the response.

The remains of the mother and daughter were subsequently recovered and evacuated to a morgue.

Ogbaru Local Government Chairman Nnamdi Ifejika expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the deaths as a devastating loss. He also called for greater attention to building safety and urged residents to report structures they believe could endanger lives.

The exact technical cause of the collapse had not been independently established in the available reports. The circumstances surrounding the construction, the reported stop-work notice and the allegations that safety warnings were ignored remain issues for the relevant authorities to investigate.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about building safety, compliance with planning regulations and enforcement of construction standards in Nigeria, particularly where buildings are erected on potentially unstable or waterlogged ground.

Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses