Staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria who were abducted from the institute’s premises last week have been released, alongside employees of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company kidnapped along the Ibadan–Abeokuta expressway.
Family members of the victims confirmed their release on Tuesday, though details surrounding the circumstances of their freedom were not immediately disclosed.
The development comes as a joint security taskforce expands coordinated operations across forested areas in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, believed to be hideouts for criminal groups.
Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, said security agencies had stepped up surveillance and clearance operations in vulnerable communities, warning criminal elements against taking refuge in the area.
He stressed that the council would not tolerate illegal activities, adding that ongoing operations were aimed at restoring public safety and confidence.
“We are working closely with security agencies to restore peace and protect lives and property. Residents should avoid isolated paths and forested areas while operations continue,” Olatunji said.
He explained that the operation involves the police, the Amotekun Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters working together to comb forests and difficult terrain suspected to be used by kidnappers.
According to him, intelligence gathering and patrols have also been reinforced in communities considered at risk, while security presence has been increased along key routes linking Ibadan to neighbouring Ogun State, particularly the Ijebu-Ode axis.
Olatunji further urged residents to remain alert and provide credible information to security agencies, while cautioning against the spread of rumours capable of triggering panic.
Security stakeholders, during an emergency meeting held at the Oluyole Local Government Secretariat in Idi-Ayunre, reportedly agreed on stronger intelligence sharing and faster response mechanisms to curb criminal activities in the area.
Operations are expected to continue across identified forest corridors as authorities work to dismantle kidnapping networks operating within the axis.
