Four farmers kidnapped as gunmen invade cocoa institute in Oyo

Four farmers have been kidnapped from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan, Oyo State, residents have said.

The residents and staff members of the institute said the gunmen numbering about six, invaded the environment in the afternoon on Wednesday, March 18.

According to the staff, the four cocoa farmers who were abducted were at the institute for a familiarisation visit when the incident happened.

One of the farmers who escaped said the gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen suddenly appeared from the bush area.

He said the gunmen intercepted their vehicle on their way to the Nursing Section at the institute and launched their attack.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said one of the victims has been rescued from the kidnappers.

Olayinka stated that the vehicle which the farmers travelled in has also been recovered by the police.

He further stated that the Oyo State Commissioner for Police, Femi Haruna has directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams of the Nigeria Police Force to reinforce the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Idi-Ayunre.

Olayinka added that the team has embarked on an immediate search and rescue operation in the forest to ensure the safe return of the kidnap victims.

“Efforts are on to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators,” Olayinka said.