Kidnapped Ibadan cocoa farmers freed, suspects arrested
Security operatives have secured the release of the remaining two cocoa farmers abducted during a visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan. Earlier, the police had rescued
- Association confirms payment of undisclosed amounts as ransom
- Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
Security operatives have secured the release of the remaining two cocoa farmers abducted during a visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan.
Earlier, the police had rescued two of the four victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers within 24 hours of the incident.
Sources indicated that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of N100 million.
Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, confirmed in a telephone conversation that all the victims have now regained their freedom.
He said the rescue was achieved through a joint operation involving the police, the Directorate of State Services (DSS), the Western Security Network, code-named Amotekun, and local vigilantes in Oluyole.
According to him, the victims have been handed over to the police, while the operation was was coordinated by the Oyo State Security Adviser, Fatai Owoseni.
Olatunji commended the security agencies for their coordinated response and assured residents of continued collaboration to enhance safety in the area.
The victims who are members of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, were at CRIN on a familiarisation tour when they were abducted.
They had visited the institute's nursery site to submit cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season before being attacked by armed men.
As of the time of filing this report, the police have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Reacting to the development, the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), in a statement by its National President, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, confirmed the payment of an undisclosed amount as ransom before the release of the victims.
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The statement added that the duo of Apostle William Solomon and Rufus Megbowon were earlier released on health grounds, while the freedom of others was secured through concerted efforts of the combined security operatives.
The statement read in part: "Sequel to our press release dated 19th March, 2026 on the kidnapping incident involving five members of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, who were on a familiarisation visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, and the subsequent release of the duo, Apostle William Solomon and Rufus Megbowon, on health grounds, considered a divine arrangement- we are pleased to provide an update.
"Between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., the remaining victims were released following ransom payment by their family members at an undisclosed location in Ogun State.
"However, during the process of their release by the kidnappers in another location in Ibadan, there was a sudden gunshot from an unidentified person that led the kidnapped victims to lose coordination and awareness of their immediate environment.
"Due to this development, the duo of Ayebusiwa Toyin and Ayebusiwa Tayo were successfully helped by the Amotekun Corps, guarding a quarry site located in their vicinity, while Omosoluyi Omoseyimi was able to safely reach out to the Association at about 8:30 a.m. today.
"Therefore, we are delighted to inform the general public, particularly cocoa stakeholders, that all three remaining victims-Ayebusiwa Toyin, Ayebusiwa Tayo, and Omosoluyi Omoseyimi have now been safely released as of today, 21st March, 2026.''
