Gunmen numbering six on Wednesday kidnapped four cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in the Idi-Ayunre area of Ibadan. The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that some of the kidnapped victims were at the institute for a familiarisation visit. A cocoa farmer who managed to flee the scene recounted that the gunmen suddenly appeared from the bush and intercepted their vehicle on their way to the Nursing Section at the institute. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed the incident in a text message sent to NAN on Wednesday in Ibadan. Olayinka said one of the four kidnapped victims had been successfully rescued, and his vehicle had been recovered.

Source: Punch March 18, 2026 14:30 UTC