Three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria have been abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday, saying efforts had been intensified to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
The victims were reportedly carrying out farm inspections when they were seized by their abductors.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed the incident in a statement issued in Ibadan, adding that a manhunt had been launched for the perpetrators.
According to him, the police began rescue operations immediately after receiving the report of the abduction.
“The Oyo State Police Command confirms a kidnapping incident involving three staff members of the CRIN, who were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises,” Ayanlade stated.
He added that security operatives were working to secure the victims’ safe return and ensure that those behind the incident were brought to justice.
The police spokesman urged members of the public with useful information that could assist the ongoing operation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its established emergency channels.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping and other security challenges in parts of the country.
The development also follows the abduction of 30 prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State.
Twenty of the prospective corps members were reported to have regained their freedom, while the remaining 10 reportedly escaped through the bush.