GUNMEN have reportedly invaded the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, and abducted three senior staff members while they were inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the abduction on Friday, assuring the public that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ safe release and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
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The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, disclosing that the victims were abducted while carrying out their duties on the institute’s farm.
In the statement, Ayanlade said the police immediately commenced intensive efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice after receiving the report.
“The Oyo State Police Command confirms a kidnapping incident involving three staff members of the CRIN, who were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
“Upon receiving the report, the command immediately commenced intensive efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. A manhunt has been launched, and operational efforts are ongoing to ensure the victims’ safe return and bring those responsible to justice.
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“The command reassures the public that every necessary effort is being made to resolve the situation and urges anyone with credible information that could assist the ongoing operation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its established emergency channels,” the statement said.
The latest abduction comes amid security concerns in the region following the kidnapping of prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps travelling from Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia State.
This newspaper reports that 20 out of 30 prospective corps members who were abducted in Imo State regained their freedom on Friday, while the remaining 10 had escaped through the bush during the incident.
The prospective corps members were travelling in two buses from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State when they were kidnapped.
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They regained their freedom seven days after the abduction along the Owerri-Onitsha road in Umunoha, Imo State.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to securing the safe return of the three Cocoa Research Institute staff members and ensuring that those behind the incident are apprehended.