Gunmen abduct three CRIN workers in Oyo, demand N120m ransom

Gunmen have abducted three people, including two employees of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), in Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, and are demanding ₦120 million for their release.

The victims were identified as Mrs Eunice Babalola, leader of CRIN’s Central Nursery, and Mr Kehinde Gbalajobi, an agricultural superintendent at the institute. The third victim is a man who lives in the institute’s SS Quarters but is not a staff member.

According to information gathered by a correspondent, the abduction occurred during working hours on Thursday.

A source familiar with the incident said Babalola and Gbalajobi were kidnapped while walking from the institute’s Central Nursery to the SS Quarters, where Babalola intended to pick up some items from her residence.

The source said the gunmen took the victims away and later demanded ₦120 million as ransom for their release.

The circumstances surrounding the abduction of the third victim were not immediately clear.

The source explained that their driver was expected to pick them up at the quarters while returning from the nursery to the institute’s main office with other nursery staff.

The two workers, however, were intercepted by the gunmen before they could reach the quarters, while the third victim, a resident of the SS Quarters who is not employed by CRIN, was also abducted.

The source said the gunmen subsequently attempted to abduct additional people at the Central Nursery but were prevented from doing so following a fierce exchange of gunfire with security personnel on guard.

“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 further disclosed 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 raised fresh concerns over the safety of workers and residents within the institute’s premises, particularly following the reported attempt by the gunmen to seize additional victims.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the victims were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.

According to the police spokesman, security operatives have commenced efforts 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 added that the command was deploying the necessary resources to address the situation and appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist the ongoing operation.

“The command reassured the public that every necessary effort is being made to resolve the situation and urges anyone with credible information that could assist the ongoing operation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its established emergency channels,” he said.

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