Gunmen 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.
Sources gathered that some of the victims were at the institute for a familiarisation visit when the incident occurred.
A cocoa farmer who escaped from the attack said the assailants, numbering about six, suddenly emerged from the bush and intercepted their vehicle while they were heading to the Nursing Section of the institute.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said in a text message that one of the four kidnapped victims had been rescued.
According to him, the victim’s vehicle was also recovered during the operation.
Olayinka disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Haruna, had directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams to reinforce the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Idi-Ayunre to intensify rescue efforts.
He added that security operatives had commenced a thorough bush-combing operation in the area.
“The rescued victim is currently in safe custody and undergoing debriefing. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” the police spokesman said.
