…as PDP cautions APC against playing politics with issue of security
The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has confirmed payment of ransom to secure release of remaining three of its members abducted during a visit to Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Tribune Online reported on Saturday that the remaining cocoa farmers kidnapped have regained their freedom at an undisclosed location in Ogun State.
Earlier, Police disclosed that two out of the five farmers abducted by suspected bandits on Wednesday at the institute were rescued hours after the incident, adding that three suspected kidnappers were arrested in connection with the incident.
Also, Tribune Online gathered that following the abduction, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N100m to release their victims.
The National President of CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, in a statement on Saturday, confirmed ransom payment by victims’ families but did not disclose the amount.
According to the statement, the duo of Apostle William Solomon and Rufus Megbowon, who regained their freedom hours after the incident were released by the suspected bandits on health grounds, attributing the freedom of others to concerted efforts of combined security operatives.
The statement reads: “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 to the kidnapped victims to lose coordination and awareness of their immediate environment.
“Due to this development, the duo of Ayebusia Toyin and Ayebusiwa Tayo were successfully helped by the Amotekun Corps guiding 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.
“We sincerely appreciate Nigerians for standing by us during this difficult and disturbing incident.
“We also extend our gratitude to the management of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force – Oyo State Command, State Security Service (DSS) – Oyo State Command, Amotekun – Oyo State Command, the local hunters, the leadership of the Oluyole local government the general public, and cocoa stakeholders both within Nigeria and in the diaspora for their unwavering prayers and support throughout this trying period.
“Furthermore, we reiterate our call on the government at all levels, particularly the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, to strengthen and reinforce security measures in order to curb the illicit activities occurring within and around its environment.”
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Oluyole local government, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, also confirmed the release of all the victims.
He added that their release was made possible through the concerted efforts of the combined team of the Police, the Directorate of State Services (DSS), Western Security Network code-named Amotekun and the Oluyole local vigilante.
According to him, the rescue team, coordinated by the Security Adviser to the Oyo state governor, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), has handed over the victims to the police.
The local government boss thanked the team for their concerted efforts as well as assuring the residents of the area of his readiness to collaborate with the relevant security agencies.
Continuing, Olatunji dismissed the submission of Hon. Tolu Akande Sadipe, a House of Representatives member from the state, who claimed she had been drawing the chairman’s attention to the security situation in the area.
Akande Sadipe was quoted in a statement that despite her efforts to draw attention to the situation, her warnings were dismissed by the current local government administration.
However, Olatunji noted that he lawmaker is only trying to play politics with the security of lives and property of the people in the area
“Akande Sadipe needs to be asked when last she visited any of the communities in the area talk less of contributing meaningfully to their development.
“You can not stay in Abuja and be overseeing what is going on in the area.
“The PDP administration in the local government area has rolled out several security measures that are aimed at ensuring safety of the residents including construction of security posts and provision of assistance to the relevant security agencies in the state,” he said.
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state against playing politics with the security of lives and property of the people of the state.