•Gunmen
Two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) have reportedly been kidnapped in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This comes as the state police command dismissed viral reports of a mass abduction in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan, the state capital, reports Daily Trust.
In a statement issued yesterday, police spokesperson in the state, Olushola Ayanlade, said no such incident had been reported anywhere in Ibadan or nearby areas.
Ayanlade said two suspects linked to the abduction of two staff members of CRIN have been arrested.
He said a distress report was received around 6pm on Tuesday at the Idi-Ayunre divisional police headquarters from the chief security officer of CRIN.
Ayanlade said preliminary investigations showed that about six armed men attacked the area and kidnapped the victims to an unknown location.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbemiga, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams, including operatives of the anti-kidnapping squad, to rescue the victims and arrest the remaining suspects.
“Consequently, intensive bush combing and coordinated search operations commenced across the surrounding forested locations linked to the incident,” he said.
“It was during one of such operations on 20th May, 2026 at about 0810hrs that Police operatives encountered and accosted two suspicious individuals identified as Shehu and Abubakar.
“Upon preliminary interrogation, the duo volunteered to lead the operatives to the hideout of their accomplices.
“However, while approaching the suspected location, the team came under gunfire attack from armed men believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate.
“The operatives responded professionally, repelled the attack and successfully extracted the two suspects, who are currently in custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.”
