Gunmen have demanded ₦120 million for the release of three people abducted at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims are two institute workers, Mrs Eunice Babalola, head of the Central Nursery, and Kehinde Gbalajobi, an agricultural superintendent, as well as a man who lives in the institute’s SS Quarters but is not a staff member.
The incident occurred during working hours on Thursday, October 8.
According to a report by Tribune, Babalola and Gbalajobi were abducted while walking from the Central Nursery to the SS Quarters to collect an item from Babalola’s residence. A third victim was also taken.
The newspaper said the gunmen later attempted to abduct more people at the Central Nursery but were repelled by security personnel after an exchange of gunfire.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying the victims were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said a manhunt had been launched to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.
“A manhunt has been launched, and operational efforts are ongoing to ensure the victims’ safe return and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
The police urged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency channels.
The victims’ condition and the status of negotiations with their abductors were not immediately known.
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