Terrorists have kidnapped three people, among them two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi Ayunre, located in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, and have demanded N120 million for their release.
The victims have been named as Mrs. Eunice Babalola, who heads CRIN’s Central Nursery; Mr. Kehinde Gbalajobi, an agricultural superintendent; and a third man who lives in the institute’s SS Quarters but is not a staff member.
Based on the information our correspondent gathered, the abduction took place during working hours on Thursday.
A source with knowledge of the incident revealed that Babalola and Gbalajobi were abducted as they walked from the institute’s Central Nursery to the SS Quarters, where Babalola planned to pick up some items from her home.
According to the source, their driver was supposed to collect them at the quarters as he returned from the nursery to the institute’s main office along with other nursery staff.
However, the terrorists kidnapped the two workers before they could get to the quarters, and the third victim, a resident of the SS Quarters who does not work for CRIN, was also taken.
The source added that the gunmen later tried to seize more people at the Central Nursery but were stopped from doing so after a fierce gun battle with security personnel on duty.
“The kidnappers went to the Central Nursery to pick more victims but were repelled after a fierce exchange of gunshots with the security men on guard at the time,” the source said.
The source also revealed that the kidnappers had established contact with the victims’ relatives and were demanding a total ransom of N120 million for the release of the three abductees.
The incident has sparked new worries about the safety of workers and residents on the institute’s grounds, especially after the gunmen reportedly tried to seize more victims.
DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, confirmed the incident, stating that the victims were kidnapped while checking crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
The police spokesman said security operatives have already begun working to track down the perpetrators and secure the victims’ release.
“A manhunt has been launched, and operational efforts are ongoing to ensure the victims’ safe return and bring those responsible to justice,” Ayanlade said.
He also noted that the command was committing the necessary resources to handle the situation, and he urged the public to come forward with any useful information that could help the ongoing operation.
