Three abducted staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, have regained their freedom on Wednesday after six days in captivity.
The staff, simply identified as Eunice Babalola, Kehinde Gbalajobi and Nelson, were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute, last Thursday.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the victims were taken to an undisclosed location after the attack.
PUNCH Online reports that the state Police command had, on Friday, October 9, 2026, confirmed the abduction of three staff members of CRIN, Ibadan, on Thursday, October 8, and assured that efforts were ongoing to secure their safe release and apprehend the perpetrators.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed this development in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, on Friday.
It will also be recalled that 20 out of 30 prospective corps members, who were abducted Thursday in Imo State, regained their freedom on Friday.
They were kidnapped while travelling on two buses from Oyo to orientation camps in Abia State, while the remaining 10 escaped through the bush.
However, sources familiar with the CRIN’s attack said, “The abductors had earlier demanded N40 million for each worker before the amount was allegedly reduced to N50 million for all three victims after negotiations.
“They regained their freedom in the early hours of today (Wednesday) after security operatives located them in a bush near Globus Farm, also known as Triton,” sources stressed.
The state Police command confirmed the rescue but did not disclose whether a ransom was paid to secure the workers’ release.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “Security agencies are still working to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.”
The release of the three CRIN employees comes six days after the attack, as efforts are in top gear to bring the suspected kidnappers to justice.