The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre, while dismissing reports circulating online about an alleged mass kidnapping in Ibadan and nearby communities.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the incident occurred on Monday evening when about six armed men reportedly stormed the CRIN premises at Idi-Ayunre and abducted two workers to an unknown location.
The incident was reported to the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters by the institute’s Chief Security Officer, prompting immediate deployment of police operatives to the scene for preliminary investigations.
Police findings indicated that the attackers escaped through nearby forest areas after carrying out the operation.
Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, ordered tactical and intelligence units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to begin rescue operations and track down the kidnappers.
The command said coordinated bush-combing and search operations were launched across surrounding communities linked to the incident.
During one of the operations on Tuesday morning, police operatives intercepted two suspects identified as Shehu and Abubakar. Investigators said the suspects provided useful information concerning the hideout of the kidnapping gang.
However, while security operatives moved toward the suspected hideout, they reportedly came under heavy gunfire from armed men believed to be members of the gang.
The police also urged residents to ignore false social media reports claiming there was a mass abduction in Ibadan, insisting that investigations and rescue efforts remain ongoing.
