Gunmen abduct Cocoa farmers in Oyo, Police launch rescue operation

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers on Wednesday abducted four cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) located in the Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Sources familiar with the incident disclosed that some of the victims were visiting the institute on a familiarisation tour when the attack occurred.

One of the farmers who narrowly escaped the abduction narrated that the gunmen, numbering about six, emerged suddenly from a nearby bush and ambushed their vehicle while they were heading towards the institute’s Nursing Section.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said in a text message that security operatives had already made progress in the rescue efforts.

According to him, one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully freed, while the victim’s vehicle was also recovered from the attackers.

Olayinka further revealed that the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Haruna, has ordered a coordinated response involving the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams to support the Divisional Police Officer in Idi-Ayunre.

He added that security personnel have commenced an intensive combing operation in surrounding bush areas to track down the perpetrators.

“The rescued victim is currently in safe custody and undergoing debriefing, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and bring the culprits to justice,” the police spokesman stated.