The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three people reported to be staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), following an incident on the institute’s premises in Ibadan.

The police said the victims were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises. The incident was reported on Friday, October 9, 2026.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had commenced efforts to secure the victims’ safe release and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

The command disclosed that a manhunt had been launched and that security operations were ongoing to locate the victims and bring the suspected kidnappers to justice.

The police also appealed to members of the public with credible information that could assist the rescue operation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its established emergency channels.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of workers and other occupants within the institute’s premises. However, details about the circumstances of the abduction and the identities of the victims were not fully disclosed in the police statement.

The police said efforts were continuing to secure the victims’ release and urged the public to cooperate with security agencies as the operation progressed.