Residents raise alarm over alleged illegal activities, vandalism on NCRI land

FOR residents living around the premises of the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), what was once regarded as a valuable government research environment has, in recent years, become a source of growing concern.

The sprawling facility, according to members of the surrounding community, was once associated with agricultural research, plantations and opportunities for local residents, particularly during the long holidays when young people engaged in farm work.

But residents now say parts of the premises have allegedly been taken over by activities that have raised serious security concerns, including the erection of makeshift structures, mechanic workshops, carpentry activities, block-making and other businesses which, they claim, have little or no connection with the original purpose of the facility.

For the community, the issue is no longer simply about the use of government property. They say it has become a question of security, environmental safety and the wellbeing of people living around the area.

One of the community members, Mr Olumide Johnson, who said he was born in the area, recalled his long association with the NCRI premises.

According to him, the facility was once known for agricultural research and plantations, while members of the community had opportunities to work on the farms during school holidays.

Johnson said the situation had changed considerably in recent years.

He alleged that some portions of the premises were being used for activities unrelated to research, with various individuals operating businesses from makeshift structures.

“Go around and you see mechanics, carpenters, people making blocks and other businesses,” he said.

But beyond the commercial activities, Johnson said residents were particularly worried about alleged criminal activities linked to some of the occupants.

He claimed that some of the structures had allegedly become hideouts for people involved in drug-related activities and other crimes, adding that residents had reported several incidents to the police.

According to him, some community members had allegedly suffered the theft of electrical cables, pipes, generators and other valuables.

He said the proximity of the facility to a police station had not completely eliminated the security concerns.

Johnson explained that the community eventually sought the intervention of the South-west Local Government Chairman, Mr Kehinde Akande, after residents felt they did not have the capacity to resolve the situation themselves.

He said security operatives accompanied the chairman to the area, where several structures were reportedly identified and subsequently demolished.

However, the demolition, according to him, has not completely resolved the dispute.

Johnson claimed that some of the affected occupants later insisted that they had paid money to NCRI and therefore had rights to remain on the premises until the expiration of whatever arrangements they had entered into.

The community member also alleged that some facilities meant for staff had been rented out, with payments allegedly made for the use of shops and other spaces.

For the residents, the controversy goes beyond who occupies the structures. They want the government to clarify the future of the property.

Johnson said if the government no longer required the entire area for research purposes, it should consider converting portions of it into productive ventures that could benefit the community.

He suggested that agricultural processing, rice production or other legitimate businesses could be established there to create employment rather than allowing the area to become a haven for criminal activities.

“We don’t want people to be making money unnecessarily from the place. We want the government to come and see what they can use this place for. If they plant rice or establish something that can create employment, the people will benefit.”

For another resident, Lasunkanmi Ojutielegan, the situation has become increasingly disturbing.

Ojutielegan said residents had experienced what he described as repeated intrusions and acts of vandalism allegedly linked to activities around the premises.

He recalled incidents involving the alleged theft of electrical cables and the cutting of water pipes.

According to him, residents once apprehended a person allegedly involved in one of the incidents and handed the individual over to the police.

He also recalled an incident involving a major water pipe, saying the matter was reported to the authorities.

“We had evidence and it was reported to the police station,” he said.

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Ojutielegan expressed concern that despite repeated reports, residents were yet to see a permanent solution to the problems.

He said darkness around parts of the area had also heightened residents’ fears, particularly because of the size of the NCRI premises and the activities allegedly taking place there.

The situation, he argued, had created an environment in which residents felt vulnerable.

According to him, the community had formally written petitions and sought intervention from relevant authorities.

He said representatives of different groups within the community—including Christian and Muslim leaders—had supported efforts to draw government attention to the matter.

Security fears and the call for intervention

The residents’ concerns are not limited to property and vandalism.

They say the poor state of some portions of the area, coupled with inadequate lighting and alleged criminal activities, poses a wider security threat to the community.

Ojutielegan appealed to the Commissioner of Police to visit the area and engage directly with residents.

He said the community was not interested in taking the law into its own hands, despite the frustration generated by repeated incidents.

“We don’t want to put the law into our hands,” he said.

Instead, the residents are calling for a coordinated intervention involving the police, local government authorities, the Federal Government and the management of NCRI.

Johnson also said the community had reached out to authorities in Abuja, insisting that the matter should be addressed at the appropriate level.

He called for the involvement of the National Assembly’s relevant committees, particularly those responsible for agriculture, in finding a sustainable solution to the problem.

What future for the NCRI premises?

At the heart of the residents’ complaints is a fundamental question: what should become of the large government-owned facility if it is no longer being used fully for its original purpose?

For the community members, leaving such a large expanse of land underutilised creates opportunities for abuse.

They believe the premises could instead become an agricultural and economic hub capable of creating jobs for young people and generating legitimate economic activity.

The residents are therefore asking the Federal Government and NCRI management to provide clarity on the status of the land, the activities permitted on it and the arrangements under which individuals occupy or use portions of the property.

They also want any legitimate tenants or businesses operating within the premises to be properly identified and regulated.

Most importantly, they want the security concerns addressed.

For a community that says it has lived alongside the NCRI for decades, the demand is not simply for the government to take back its land.

It is a plea for the facility to return to a purpose that benefits both the government and the people living around it.

As Johnson put it, the residents want “a very fair environment” in which they can live without fear.

And while tensions have been building, community leaders insist they would rather pursue dialogue than confrontation.

The Baale Odo-Ona, along Apata Road, Baale Mojeed Ibrahim Taajo, also confirmed the residents’ concerns, calling for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

He said the removal of streetlights installed within the area had worsened the security situation, leaving several parts of the community in darkness and making residents more vulnerable.

According to him, the streetlights were allegedly removed by people operating within the NCRI premises, further compounding the insecurity being experienced by residents.

He appealed to government authorities, security agencies and the management of NCRI to urgently visit the area, assess the situation and take decisive steps to restore safety and order.

The community leader said the residents were willing to cooperate with the authorities, stressing that their primary concern was to secure their homes, properties and livelihoods.

He urged the authorities not to wait until the situation escalated before taking action, insisting that the community needed immediate intervention to prevent further vandalism and alleged criminal activities.

Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer confirmed the arrest of nine people allegedly linked to pipeline vandalism in the area.

According to the police spokesperson, the suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged vandalism and are currently being detained at the Apata Police Division.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer, NCRI, said Odo Ona community, Dr Paul Igbekele, approached the NCRI institute, requesting land space to establish a community market.

He disclosed that the request was subsequently referred to the NCRI headquarters in Bida, Niger State, where it was reportedly rejected on the grounds that land designated for research and agricultural purposes could not be converted to an open market.

“Meanwhile, the dispute took another dimension following the arrest of some NCRI staff members who were reportedly carrying out official duties at the institute.

“The staff were involved in the rehabilitation of the institute’s water supply system as part of preparations for the dry season. The exercise became necessary following the recent auctioning of old and obsolete equipment and machinery by the NCRI headquarters.

“The institute’s water tanker was reportedly repaired after being identified among equipment that was no longer functional, while plans were made to improve water distribution to the staff quarters and other facilities within the institute.

“As part of the process, old and defective water pipes were being excavated to make way for new ones. The Station Manager and another staff member were said to have engaged an external worker to assist with the pipe excavation and replacement exercise.”