Gunmen kidnap four cocoa farmers in Oyo (video)

Gunmen numbering six have kidnapped four cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in the Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan, Oyo State. The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that some of the kidnapped victims were at the institute for a familiarisation visit on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.  A cocoa farmer who managed to flee the scene recounted that the gunmen suddenly appeared from the bush and intercepted their vehicle on their way to the Nursing Section at the institute. The spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed the incident to NAN on Wednesday in Ibadan. Olayinka said one of the four kidnapped victims had been successfully rescued, and his vehicle had been recovered. He said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Haruna, had directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, alongside other tactical teams, to reinforce the Divisional Police Officer, Idi-Ayunre. The PPRO said that operatives have embarked on an intensive bush combing operation, adding that the rescued victim was currently in safe custody and undergoing debriefing. "Efforts are on to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators, he added.  The post Gunmen kidnap four cocoa farmers in Oyo (video) appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.