Gunmen strike in Ibadan
CITIZENS COMPASS— Suspected gunmen on Wednesday, struck in Ibadan, Oyo State and kidnapped four farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).
Eye witnesses’ accounts said the gunmen numbering six perpetrated the evil in Idi-Ayunre area.
According to reports, some of the kidnapped victims were at the institute for a familiarisation visit.
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.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed the incident in a text message sent to NAN on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Olayinka said one of the four kidnapped victims had been successfully rescued, and his vehicle 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 (DPO), 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 said.
Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) is located at Km 14, Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, Idi-Ayunre, in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
Spokesperson for the Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the incident was reported at about 12:23 p.m.
The spokesperson said a joint security team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups, and the Amotekun Corps was immediately deployed to the scene.
