Three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, have regained their freedom after reportedly paying N50 million in ransom to their abductors.
The victims, identified as Mrs Eunice Babalola, Mr Kehinde Gbalajobi and Mr Nelson, were abducted by armed men on October 9, 2026, while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly demanded N40 million for each victim before the ransom was eventually negotiated down to N50 million for all three staff members.
A source told Nigerian Tribune that the victims were rescued from a bush near Globus Farm, popularly known as Triton, by security operatives on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Confirming their rescue, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the victims had regained their freedom but stated that he was unaware of any ransom payment.
Ayanlade added that security operatives were continuing efforts to track down and arrest the suspects responsible for the abduction.
