CRIN Workers Freed After Kidnapping in Ibadan

Three workers from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, identified as Eunice Babalola, Kehinde Gbalajobi, and Nelson, were kidnapped by gunmen last week. They regained their freedom in the early hours of Wednesday after the kidnappers allegedly collected a ransom.

Initially, the abductors demanded N40 million for each worker but later reduced the total demand to N50 million for all three. Security operatives located the workers in a bush while tracking the suspected kidnappers.

DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed the release of the workers and stated that they are currently being debriefed by the police. He also mentioned that the police command is not aware of any ransom payment made to secure their release and that efforts are ongoing to arrest those involved in the kidnapping.