Police Arrest Two Suspects Over CRIN Staff Abduction, Debunk Fresh Kidnap Reports In Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), while also dismissing reports of another mass kidnapping in parts of Ibadan as false and misleading.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on May 20, 2026, a distress report was received at the Idi-Ayunre Divisional Police Headquarters on May 19, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. from the Chief Security Officer of CRIN, reporting that unidentified armed men had invaded the institute and abducted two staff members.
Police operatives immediately visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, where preliminary investigations revealed that about six armed men carried out the operation before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators.
The Command said intensive bush-combing and coordinated search operations were launched across forested areas linked to the incident.
During one of the operations on May 20, 2026, at about 8:10 a.m., police operatives intercepted two suspicious individuals identified as Shehu and Abubakar.
According to the statement, the suspects volunteered information that led operatives toward the hideout of other members of the syndicate. However, while approaching the location, the police team reportedly came under heavy gunfire from armed men suspected to be kidnappers.
The operatives were said to have responded professionally, repelled the attack, and safely extracted the two suspects, who are currently in the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation.
The Police Command, however, expressed concern over what it described as false reports circulating on social media and some media platforms alleging another mass abduction in Abanla community and other parts of Ibadan.
The Command clarified that no such incident had been reported anywhere within Ibadan metropolis apart from the CRIN abduction case already under active investigation.
It warned that the spread of unverified security reports could create unnecessary panic among residents and undermine ongoing security operations.
The Command also urged journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers to verify security-related information through appropriate channels before publication.
Residents were reassured that adequate security measures had been put in place across affected areas and other strategic locations in the state to prevent criminal activities.
The police further appealed to members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while supporting security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
For emergencies, residents were advised to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line on 615, or the Police Control Room via 08081768614 and 07055495413.
