Three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) have been abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday, saying security operatives had launched a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers and were working to secure the victims’ release.
The command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital.
According to him, the victims were carrying out their duties on the farm when they were abducted.
“The Oyo State Police Command confirms a kidnapping incident involving three staff members of the CRIN, who were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises,” Ayanlade said.
He explained that the command commenced intensive efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators immediately after receiving the report.
Ayanlade assured residents that the police were taking necessary steps to ensure the safe return of the abducted workers.
He also urged members of the public with useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its established emergency channels.
The abduction comes amid continuing concerns over kidnapping incidents in different parts of the country.
In a separate incident, 20 of the 30 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State reportedly regained their freedom on Friday, while the remaining 10 escaped from their captors through the bush.
The prospective corps members were travelling in two buses from Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia State when they were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State.
They reportedly regained their freedom seven days after the incident.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command said operational efforts were continuing to secure the release of the three CRIN workers and ensure that those behind their abduction were brought to justice.
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