Three employees of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, Oyo State, have regained their freedom six days after they were kidnapped by gunmen, following reports that a N50m ransom was paid.
The victims, identified as Eunice Babalola, Kehinde Gbalajobi and a staff member known only as Nelson, were abducted last Thursday while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 1pm, when armed men stormed the farm and seized the workers before taking them to an undisclosed location.
Sources familiar with the development said the kidnappers initially demanded N40m for each victim but later agreed to accept N50m for the three workers.
The victims were reportedly freed early on Wednesday and found in a bush around Globus Farm, popularly known as Triton, after security operatives intervened.
However, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the rescue but said it had no information about the alleged ransom payment.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security operatives were still working to track down and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
The release of the workers brings relief to the institute and their families, while the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the reported ransom payment remain a subject of concern.
