CRIN Employees Freed After Six-Day Kidnapping Ordeal

Three employees of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, regained their freedom after being held captive for six days. The victims, identified as Eunice Babalola, Kehinde Gbalajobi, and another employee known as Nelson, were abducted by armed men while working on a farm within the institute's premises last Thursday at approximately 1pm.

Following the attack, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦40 million for each victim, which was later reduced to ₦50 million for all three during negotiations. The victims were rescued in the early hours of Wednesday after security operatives located them in a bush near Globus Farm, also referred to as Triton.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the rescue but did not disclose whether any ransom was paid for their release. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that security agencies are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the abductors.

This incident raises renewed concerns over kidnapping and security challenges in Oyo State.