Two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) have been abducted by armed men in Oyo State, prompting swift action from security operatives who have already arrested two suspects linked to the incident.
The attack occurred on Tuesday evening at about 6:00 pm at the institute’s premises located in Idi-Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area.
According to reports, the assailants believed to be about six in number stormed the facility and forcefully whisked the victims away to an undisclosed location.
Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Command disclosed that a distress call was received from the institute’s Chief Security Officer, triggering an immediate response from officers at the Idi-Ayunre Division.
Police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that operatives quickly visited the scene for assessment and began coordinated search operations across nearby forest areas suspected to be hideouts for the kidnappers.
In a breakthrough, two suspects identified as Shehu and Abubakar were apprehended during ongoing operations on Wednesday morning.
Preliminary interrogation revealed useful intelligence, as the suspects reportedly offered to lead officers to the location of other gang members.
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However, while approaching the suspected hideout, police operatives came under heavy gunfire from armed members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The officers successfully repelled the attack and secured the arrested suspects, who are now in custody with the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
The Commissioner of Police in the state has since ordered intensified tactical and intelligence-driven operations to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims and the arrest of other perpetrators still at large.
Meanwhile, the police have debunked circulating reports of additional mass abductions in other parts of Ibadan, describing such claims as false and misleading.
Authorities warned that spreading unverified information could incite panic and undermine ongoing security efforts.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative by providing credible information that could assist in the rescue mission.
Security presence has also been reinforced in the affected areas to prevent further incidents and ensure public safety.
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