By The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspected kidnappers in connection with the recent abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), while also dismissing reports of another mass abduction in parts of Ibadan as false.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 20, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command disclosed that the incident was reported at about 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters by the Chief Security Officer of CRIN.
According to the statement, six unidentified armed men reportedly invaded the institute’s premises and abducted two staff members, taking them to an unknown destination.
“Preliminary findings revealed that about six armed men invaded the area before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination,” the statement read.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, reportedly ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators.
The command noted that intensive bush combing and coordinated search operations were subsequently launched across surrounding forest areas linked to the incident.
During one of the operations conducted around 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday, police operatives reportedly intercepted two suspicious individuals identified as Shehu and Abubakar.
According to the police, the suspects volunteered information about the hideout of other members of the syndicate during preliminary interrogation.
“However, while approaching the suspected location, the team came under gunfire attack from armed men believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate,” the statement added.
The police said operatives responded professionally, repelled the attack, and successfully extracted the two suspects, who are currently in the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the command raised concerns over what it described as the spread of false reports alleging another mass abduction in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Oyo State Police Command categorically states that no such incident has been reported anywhere within Ibadan metropolis or its environs apart from the already reported CRIN incident presently receiving robust operational attention,” the statement noted.
The command further assured residents that security measures had been strengthened across the affected areas and other strategic locations within the state to prevent criminal activities.
Residents were also urged to remain calm, vigilant, and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information capable of aiding ongoing operations.
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-ayunre, has been in the news lately for kidnapping incidents. On March 18, 2026, AfrikTimes reported that five members of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, who were at the facility to submit their annual cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season were attacked and abducted by gunmen.
Two victims were reportedly released on the same day on health grounds while the other three were released three days after following the payment of ransom by their family members.
