The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, in Idi-Ayunre area of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects, identified simply as Shehu and Abubakar, were arrested during a security operation launched after the kidnapping incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening.
The police said the victims were abducted by armed men who invaded the premises of the institute and took the workers to an unknown destination.
The development has again raised concerns over rising cases of kidnapping and attacks on institutions and communities across parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the incident happened around 6 pm on May 19, 2026.
According to him, the police received a distress call from the Chief Security Officer of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, informing the command that gunmen had stormed the institute and kidnapped two staff members.
“The State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that on May 19, 2026, at about 1800hrs, a distress report was received at Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters from the Chief Security Officer of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, reporting the abduction of two staff members of the institution by unidentified armed men who reportedly invaded the premises of the institute and whisked the victims away to an unknown destination,” the statement said.
Police operatives were immediately deployed to the area after receiving the report.
According to the command, officers conducted an on-the-spot assessment and discovered that about six armed men were involved in the operation.
The police added that intensive bush combing and coordinated search operations had already begun in surrounding forests and nearby areas believed to be linked to the kidnappers.
The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbemiga Abimbola, directed the immediate deployment of tactical teams and intelligence units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
“It was during one of such operations on May 20, 2026, at about 0810hrs, that police operatives encountered and accosted two suspicious individuals identified as Shehu and Abubakar,” Ayanlade said.
The police explained that preliminary interrogation of the suspects led to important information regarding the activities and hideout of the gang.
“Upon preliminary interrogation, the duo volunteered to lead the operatives to the hideout of their accomplices,” he stated.
However, while the security team was moving toward the suspected hideout, the officers reportedly came under heavy gunfire from armed men believed to be members of the kidnapping gang.
The police said the officers responded professionally and successfully repelled the attack.
“While approaching the suspected location, the team came under gunfire attack from armed men believed to be members of the kidnapping syndicate.
“The 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 and intelligence exploitation,” the statement added.
The police did not disclose whether any of the suspects or security operatives were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
Authorities also did not reveal the identities of the kidnapped workers, but security operations to rescue them were said to be ongoing as of Wednesday evening.
The incident has drawn attention because the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria is one of the country’s major agricultural research institutions.
Located in Ibadan, the institute plays a key role in research and development involving cocoa, kola, coffee, cashew and other important cash crops.
Cocoa remains one of Nigeria’s major agricultural exports, and the institute has for decades supported farmers and agricultural development through research and training.
The latest abduction has therefore sparked fresh fears among residents and workers in the area.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the major security challenges facing Nigeria in recent years.
Several states across the country have witnessed repeated cases of abductions involving students, farmers, travellers, traditional rulers and government workers.
In the South-West region, incidents of kidnapping have increased along highways, rural communities and forest areas despite ongoing security operations by the police, military and local security outfits.
The Oyo State Police Command also used the opportunity to dismiss reports circulating on social media alleging that another mass abduction had occurred in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan.
According to the police, no such incident had been officially reported apart from the CRIN kidnapping case currently under investigation.
The command described the circulation of unverified reports as dangerous and capable of causing panic among residents.
“While these operations are ongoing and yielding actionable leads, the command has observed with serious concern the circulation of false and misleading reports by certain media outlets and social media platforms alleging another mass abduction in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan,” the statement said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 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 police warned bloggers, media organisations and social media users against spreading unconfirmed security information.
According to the command, false reports can undermine public confidence and distract security agencies from handling genuine emergencies.
“It is against this backdrop that the command strongly advises media organisations, bloggers and social media influencers to uphold the principles of responsible reportage by verifying security-related information through appropriate channels before publication,” Ayanlade added.
The police further assured residents that strong security measures had been put in place across the affected area and other strategic locations within the state to prevent criminal activities.
Residents were urged to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information that could help ongoing investigations and rescue operations.
As of Wednesday night, efforts to rescue the abducted CRIN workers were still continuing, while the two arrested suspects remained in police custody for further questioning.