By SEYI ODUNEYE-OGUNWOMOJU and SULEIMAN SHEHU

Staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) blocked a section of the Ibadan/Ijebu-Ode Road on Friday, protesting another kidnapping incident at the institute.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan gathered that three persons were kidnapped on Thursday at the institute’s plant nursery.

Dr Kayode Ayegboyin, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), CRIN branch, described Thursday’s incident as disheartening in an internal statement he issued.

“The leaders of CRIN Central Nursery, Mrs Eunice Babalola, and Mr Kehinde Gbalajobi (Agric Superintendent) and one other man who resides at CRIN Senior Staff (SS) Quarters, have been reported kidnapped during office hours on Thursday, Oct. 10.

“Mrs Babalola and Mr Gbalajobi were kidnapped while trekking from CRIN Central Nursery to SS Quarters with the intention to pick something up at Mrs Babalola’s residence (SS Quarters).

“The driver was to pick them up later at SS Quarters while he would be returning with other Nursery staff from CRIN Nursery to the main office.

“However, the dedicated duo were picked up by kidnappers on their way from the Nursery to the SS Quarters, while another man (a CRIN SS Quarters resident, but not a staff member of CRIN) was also kidnapped,” he said.

The chairman, in his statement, said the kidnappers went to the central nursery to pick more victims but were repelled after a fierce exchange of gunshots with the security officials on guard.

“However, the report reaching me is that these daredevil kidnappers had called and demanded N120 million as ransom for the three kidnapped victims.

“So, kindly join the victims, their immediate families and indeed, the CRIN family in your prayers. We want them released soonest,” said the ASURI chairman.

A staff member told NAN that the kidnapping occurred between noon and 1.00 p.m. at the same spot where the last kidnapping happened.

“This is now worrisome. How can we keep coming to work with fear? This is not right,” said the staff member.

Another official of the institute confirmed members’ agitation over the kidnapping incident, hence the protest.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, affirmed that the protest was over the kidnapping occurrence in the area on Thursday.

Ayanlade, however, told NAN that the police command was aware of the abduction and that rescue operations were already ongoing. (NAN)