Gunmen have abducted four cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in the Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
It was gathered that some of the kidnapped farmers were at the institute for a familiarisation visit on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
A cocoa farmer who managed to flee the scene disclosed that the gunmen emerged from the bush and intercepted their vehicle on their way to the nursing section at the CRIN.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.
Ayanlade said one of the kidnapped farmers had been rescued, and his vehicle recovered.
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He said the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, has directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, alongside other tactical teams, to reinforce the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Idi-Ayunre.
The police spokesman noted that security operatives have embarked on an intensive bush combing operation, adding that the rescued victim has been undergoing debriefing.
“Efforts are on to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators,” Ayanlade stated.
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