Kidnappers Abduct Two CRIN Workers in Oyo, Police Arrest Two Suspects

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects, identified as Shehu and Abubakar, in connection with the abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi-Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2026, when armed men invaded the premises of the institute and abducted the victims to an unknown location.

A distress call was reportedly received by the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters from the Chief Security Officer of CRIN, alerting authorities that two staff members had been taken away by unidentified gunmen.

Following the report, police operatives immediately visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. Preliminary investigations indicated that about six armed men stormed the area before whisking the victims away.

Ayanlade said the command quickly launched coordinated bush-combing and search-and-rescue operations across surrounding forested areas believed to be linked to the attack. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, ordered the deployment of tactical units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to secure the safe rescue of the victims and track down the perpetrators.

During one of the ongoing operations on May 20, 2026, police reportedly intercepted two suspicious individuals who were later identified as Shehu and Abubakar. The suspects allegedly volunteered to lead operatives to the kidnappers’ hideout but came under fire from other members of the gang while en route. The police responded, repelled the attack, and successfully extracted the suspects, who are now in custody for further investigation.

The command also dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming a separate mass abduction in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan, describing them as false and misleading.

It warned that such unverified reports could create unnecessary panic and undermine ongoing security operations. The police urged journalists, bloggers, and social media users to verify sensitive security information before publication.

The command reassured residents that enhanced security measures have been deployed across affected areas and other strategic locations in the state, urging the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of security agencies as efforts continue to rescue the victims and apprehend the remaining suspects.