Oyo State Police Command has revealed that it has arrested no fewer than three suspects in connection with the abduction of some cocoa farmers in Ibadan, the state capital.
The command made this revelation in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.
The statement was made available to DAILY POST Wednesday evening.
DAILY POST had earlier reported that some gunmen had on Wednesday kidnapped cocoa farmers in Ibadan. https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/18/unknown-gunmen-kidnap-four-persons-in-ibadan/
The kidnapped victims were abducted at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan.
Our correspondent gathered 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 within the premises of the institute.
It was learnt that four people were abducted in the process.
Olayinka, in the statement, noted that two of the victims have been rescued.
He also disclosed that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
Ayanlade added that the victims were rescued by the police in conjunction with a combined team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups, and the Amotekun Corps.
Ayanlade said swiftly: “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a kidnapping incident reported today, 18th March 2026, at about 1223 hours, at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre.
“Information available to the Command indicates 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.
“This prompt and decisive response led to the successful rescue of two male victims. In the course of the operation, three suspects were arrested and are currently in police custody.”