Gunmen Abduct Three Cocoa Research Institute Workers In Ibadan

Gunmen have abducted three people, including two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday, saying efforts were underway to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

The victims were reportedly abducted on Thursday while moving around the institute’s premises in the Idi-Ayunre area of Oluyole Local Government Area.

The abducted persons were identified as Mrs Eunice Babalola, head of CRIN’s Central Nursery; Kehinde Gbalajobi, an agricultural superintendent; and another man who resides in the institute’s senior staff quarters but is not an employee.

According to reports, Babalola and Gbalajobi were intercepted while walking from the Central Nursery towards the staff quarters.

The kidnappers reportedly attempted to abduct more people at the nursery but were repelled by security personnel following an exchange of gunfire.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

He said operational efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ safe release and bring those responsible to justice.

The police urged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the nearest police station or use the command’s established emergency channels.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ relatives and demanded a ransom of ₦120 million for their release.

The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over security at the research institute, following previous abductions involving workers within its premises.