The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre, while dismissing rumours circulating on social media about a mass kidnapping in Ibadan and nearby communities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed in a statement that the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2026, when suspected kidnappers stormed the CRIN premises and abducted two workers to an unknown location.
According to the statement, the institution’s Chief Security Officer reported the attack at the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters, prompting officers to immediately visit the scene for assessment and investigation.
Preliminary findings revealed that about six armed men carried out the operation before fleeing into nearby forest areas with the victims.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to rescue the victims and track down those responsible.
The Command said coordinated search and bush-combing operations were launched across communities linked to the attack.
Police also disclosed that during one of the operations on Tuesday morning, operatives intercepted two suspects identified as Shehu and Abubakar. Initial interrogation reportedly provided useful information about the hideout of other members of the kidnapping gang.
However, while advancing towards the suspected hideout, security operatives reportedly came under heavy gunfire from armed men believed to be members of the syndicate. A gun battle followed, forcing the attackers to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
The Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and secure the safe release of the abducted victims.
The Command further urged residents to ignore reports of mass abduction spreading online, describing the claims as false and capable of creating unnecessary panic.
DSP Olayinka reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while encouraging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
