Gunmen abduct 4 cocoa farmers in Oyo

Gunmen on Wednesday kidnapped four Cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The victims were at the institute for a familiarisation visit when they were kidnapped by the six-man gang.

A farmer who managed to flee the scene said the gunmen suddenly appeared from the bush and intercepted their vehicle on their way to the Nursing Section at the institute.

The spokesman for the Oyo State Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed the incident in a text message sent to journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan.

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He said one of the four victims had been successfully rescued, and his vehicle recovered.

He added that the state Commissioner o f Police, Mr. Femi Haruna had directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, alongside other tactical teams, to reinforce the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Idi-Ayunre.

The spokesman revealed that the operatives have embarked on an intensive bush combing operation to rescue the victims.

“Efforts are on to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators,” he stated.