THREE ABDUCTED CRIN STAFF REGAIN FREEDOM AFTER SIX DAYS IN CAPTIVITY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, have regained their freedom six days after they were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims, identified as Eunice Babalola, Kehinde Gbalajobi and Nelson, were reportedly kidnapped last Thursday and taken to an undisclosed location.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the abduction on Friday, October 9, 2026, assuring that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ release and apprehend those responsible.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed their rescue in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Sources familiar with the incident said the abductors initially demanded N40 million for each of the three workers but allegedly reduced the total ransom demand to N50 million following negotiations.
The sources added that the victims regained their freedom in the early hours of Wednesday after security operatives reportedly located them in a bush near Globus Farm, also known as Triton.
The police confirmed the rescue but did not disclose whether any ransom was paid to secure the workers’ release.
Ayanlade said security agencies were still working to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“Security agencies are still working to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction,” he said.
The rescue comes amid renewed concerns over kidnapping incidents involving travellers and residents in different parts of the country.
In a separate incident, 20 of the 30 prospective corps members reportedly abducted while travelling from Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia State regained their freedom on Friday, while the remaining 10 escaped through the bush.
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