Ibadan: Six armed men stormed the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in the Idi-Ayunre area on Wednesday, kidnapping four farmers in a brazen attack that has rattled the agricultural community. Security agencies have launched a manhunt as fears grow over rising threats to Nigeria’s cocoa belt.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the kidnapped victims were at CRIN for a familiarisation visit.
A cocoa farmer who managed to flee the scene recounted that the gunmen suddenly appeared from the bush and intercepted their vehicle on their way to the Nursing Section at the institute.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the incident in a text message sent to NAN on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Olayinka said one of the four kidnapped victims had been successfully rescued, and his vehicle had been recovered.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Haruna, had directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, alongside other tactical teams, to reinforce the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Idi-Ayunre.
The PPRO said that operatives have embarked on an intensive bush combing operation, adding that the rescued victim was currently in safe custody and undergoing debriefing.
“Efforts are on to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators,” he said.