The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has confirmed that ransom was paid for the safe release of three of its members abducted earlier this week during a visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to reports, the remaining abducted cocoa farmers regained their freedom at an undisclosed location in Ogun State. Police earlier disclosed that two of the five farmers kidnapped by suspected bandits on Wednesday were rescued hours after the abduction, and three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.
Tribune Online also reported that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million. While CFAN’s National President, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, confirmed that families of the victims paid a ransom, the exact amount was not disclosed.
In a statement, CFAN said that two victims, Apostle William Solomon and Rufus Megbowon, were released early due to health concerns, while the freedom of the remaining three—Ayebusiwa Toyin, Ayebusiwa Tayo, and Omosoluyi Omoseyimi—was achieved through coordinated efforts by security operatives.
The statement read in part:
“Between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., the remaining victims were released following ransom payment by their families at an undisclosed location in Ogun State. During the release, a sudden gunshot caused temporary disorientation of the victims, but with the guidance of the Amotekun Corps and local support, all three were safely recovered by 8:30 a.m. today.”
CFAN expressed gratitude to security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service (DSS), Amotekun, local hunters, and Oluyole local government authorities, as well as cocoa stakeholders across Nigeria and the diaspora. The association also called on all levels of government, particularly CRIN, to enhance security measures within and around its facilities.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, confirmed the release of all victims, attributing the successful recovery to the combined efforts of the Police, DSS, Amotekun, and local vigilante teams. He also dismissed claims by Hon. Tolu Akande Sadipe, a House of Representatives member, that the security situation had been ignored, describing such statements as politically motivated.
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party cautioned the All Progressives Congress against politicizing security matters, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the safety of residents over political point-scoring.
All abducted cocoa farmers have now been safely reunited with their families, bringing an end to the tense ordeal that shook the cocoa farming community in Oyo State.
