Barely few days after some students and teachers of schools were kidnapped and one of the teachers beheaded in Oyo State by the bandits, two staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN). at Idi-Ayunre in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state have been abducted.
Penpushing reports that Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade said the incident occurred at about 6 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2026, however, disclosed that two suspects, Shehu and Abubakar, were arrested in connection with the abduction.
The police spokesperson in a statement on Wednesday explained that a distress report was received at the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters from the chief security officer of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).
Penpushing further reports that Ayanlade said the chief security officer reported the abduction of two staff members of the institution by unidentified armed men who reportedly invaded the premises and whisked the victims away to an unknown destination.
The statement added that upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, during which preliminary findings revealed that about six-armed men invaded the area before abducting the victims.
“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’, he said.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, during which preliminary findings revealed that about six-armed men invaded the area before abducting the victims’, Ayanlade added
Penpushing also reports that he said intensive bush combing and coordinated search operations had commenced across surrounding forested locations linked to the incident, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, had directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators.
“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. Upon preliminary interrogation, the duo volunteered to lead the operatives to the hideout of their accomplices’, he stated.
“However, 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’.
“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’.
“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 command views the dissemination of such unverified and sensational reports as highly irresponsible and capable of creating unnecessary fear, panic, and tension among residents’, he stated.
“Beyond this, the spread of false information has the tendency to undermine public confidence in ongoing security efforts while equally diverting limited operational and emergency response resources away from genuine security concerns requiring immediate attention’.
“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.”
Penpushing reports that he said the police remain committed to maintaining a productive relationship with the media, adding that such partnership must be guided by accuracy, professionalism, and the collective interest of public safety and national security.
The statement emphasized that the command reassured residents that robust security measures have been emplaced across the affected axis and other strategic locations within the state to deny criminal elements any operational foothold.
Penpushing further reports that the command encouraged the general public to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while continuing to support the police and other security agencies with timely and credible information capable of aiding ongoing operations.
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