Three CRIN Workers Regain Freedom Six Days After Abduction in Ibadan

Three employees of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, have regained their freedom six days after they were abducted while working on a farm within the institute’s premises.

The victims were identified as Eunice Babalola, Kehinde Gbalajobi and another employee known as Nelson. They were reportedly kidnapped last Thursday when armed men stormed the farm at about 1pm.

Sources said the abductors initially demanded ₦40 million for each victim before negotiations reportedly led to a change in the ransom demand. The workers were later rescued in the early hours of Wednesday from a bush near Globus Farm, also known as Triton.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed their rescue but did not disclose whether any ransom was paid. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security agencies were working to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.