March 18, (THEWILL) — Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Wednesday abducted four cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in the Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that some of the victims were at the institute on a familiarisation visit when the attack occurred.
A survivor, who managed to escape the incident, recounted that the assailants, numbering about six, suddenly emerged from the bush and intercepted their vehicle while they were heading to the Nursing Section of the institute.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said one of the kidnapped victims had been rescued, while the victim’s vehicle was also recovered.
He added that the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, had directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams to reinforce security in the area in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Idi-Ayunre.
Olayinka disclosed that security operatives have launched an intensive bush combing operation to track down the abductors and rescue the remaining victims.
“The rescued victim is currently in safe custody and undergoing debriefing. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators”, he said.
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