Suspected gunmen have abducted four individuals at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State, triggering a security response from authorities.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the institute’s facility located in the Oluyole Local Government Area, where the attackers reportedly invaded the nursery section and whisked away their victims.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that one of the abducted persons has since been rescued.
According to him, security operatives also recovered the victim’s vehicle, while the individual is currently in safe custody undergoing debriefing.
Ayanlade added that the Commissioner of Police has deployed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit alongside other tactical teams to intensify operations in the area. The teams are working in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer of the Idi-Ayunre Division, carrying out extensive bush-combing efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
He assured that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of those still in captivity and to apprehend the perpetrators behind the attack
