Four people were kidnapped by Fulani kidnappers on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN)located at Ita Ayunre, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The incident occurred at the nursery section of the institute in Oluyole Local Government Area, where the gunmen reportedly invaded and took the victims.
A man who witnessed the incident and narrowly escaped abduction said, “I am the newly elected chairman of the Ogun State Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria. We were in the nursery section, five of us, including the State Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria. We were at CRIN for a familiarisation visit. Suddenly, we heard a gunshot but did not realise what it was at first. Moments later, about seven armed men, suspected to be Fulani, surrounded us. They were carrying guns and pointed them at our vehicle.”
Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade saying that representatives of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, who were at the CRIN nursery site to submit their annual collections of cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season, were abducted by unidentified armed men.
He said upon receipt of the distress report, a combined security team comprising the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups, and Amotekun Corps swiftly mobilized to the scene and engaged the assailants in a coordinated pursuit.
According to him, the security team rescued two male victims and arrested three suspects, who are currently in police custody.
Intensive efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victim(s), as security operatives have commenced aggressive bush combing operations and sustained pursuit of the fleeing criminals.
He said the police have begun operations to locate the remaining victims and arrest those responsible.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police has directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams to support officers at the Idi-Ayunre Division in a search operation in the surrounding area.
Ayanlade said the rescued victim is in safe custody and is being questioned. He added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the others and bring the suspects to justice.
