The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two victims and arrested three suspects in connection with the abduction of some representatives of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan.

The incident, according to the police, occurred on Wednesday at about 12:23 p.m. when unidentified armed men reportedly abducted the victims at the CRIN nursery site in Idi-Ayunre.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed in a statement that the victims, who are representatives of the Ogun State chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, had visited the facility to submit their annual collections of cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season when the attack occurred.

Olayinka explained that security operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call, and mobilized a joint team that included personnel of the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups and the Amotekun Corps.

He said the combined security team immediately moved to the scene and launched a coordinated pursuit of the assailants.

“The prompt and decisive response of the security operatives led to the successful rescue of two male victims, while three suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently in police custody,” the statement said.

The police spokesman added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victim or victims.

He noted that operatives had commenced intensive bush-combing operations while sustaining the pursuit of fleeing members of the gang.

The command also assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant.

It also called on residents to support ongoing security operations by providing credible information that could aid the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

The police advised the public to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre via the toll-free line 615, or the command control room through 08081768614 and 07055495413 in case of emergencies.

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two victims and arrested three suspects in connection with the abduction of some representatives of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan.

The incident, according to the police, occurred on Wednesday at about 12:23 p.m. when unidentified armed men reportedly abducted the victims at the CRIN nursery site in Idi-Ayunre.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed in a statement that the victims, who are representatives of the Ogun State chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, had visited the facility to submit their annual collections of cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season when the attack occurred.

Olayinka explained that security operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call, and mobilized a joint team that included personnel of the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups and the Amotekun Corps.

He said the combined security team immediately moved to the scene and launched a coordinated pursuit of the assailants.

“The prompt and decisive response of the security operatives led to the successful rescue of two male victims, while three suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently in police custody,” the statement said.

The police spokesman added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victim or victims.

He noted that operatives had commenced intensive bush-combing operations while sustaining the pursuit of fleeing members of the gang.

The command also assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant.

It also called on residents to support ongoing security operations by providing credible information that could aid the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

The police advised the public to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre via the toll-free line 615, or the command control room through 08081768614 and 07055495413 in case of emergencies.