CFAN Insists Ransom Freed Abducted Farmers, Disputes Rescue Claims

News in Brief:

-The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria says ransom was paid to secure the release of abducted farmers in Ibadan, contradicting authorities’ claims of a successful security rescue operation.

-The victims were eventually freed days later, though details of the ransom remain undisclosed.

The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) have insisted that they paid ransom to free the remaining two cocoa farmers abducted in Ibadan last week.

This is contrary to the claims of the authorities, who said the abducted farmers regained freedom after a rescue mission by the combined team of security agents. 

Cocoa Farmers Abducted in Ibadan

On Wednesday, March 18, armed men had reportedly abducted a group of cocoa farmers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo state. These farmers, who were members of CFAN, Ogun State Chapter, were on a familiarisation tour at CRIN and had visited the institute’s nursery site to submit cocoa seedlings for the 2026 planting season when they were abducted. 

Shortly after the abduction, two of the victims, Apostle William Solomon and Rufus Megbowon, were released on health grounds, and the kidnappers allegedly requested ₦100 million before releasing the rest of the victims.

The remaining group of abducted farmers, however, regained freedom on Saturday by midnight at an undisclosed location in Ogun state, days after they were kidnapped.

Farmers' Freedom

According to the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji, earlier reports indicated that the rescue was achieved through the combined efforts of security operatives.

He confirmed to journalists in a telephone conversation that the release was secured 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, Ibadan.

The Chairman maintained that the rescue team coordinated by the Security Adviser to the Oyo state governor, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd). has handed over the Cocoa farmers to the police.

CFAN Disputes Claim

However, the CFAN National President,  Comrade Adeola Adegoke, disputes this claim, noting that ransom was paid to secure the release of the remaining three farmers.

He disclosed in an official statement that the final group of victims regained freedom after their families met the kidnappers’ demands.

“Sequel to our press release dated March 19, 2026, on the kidnapping incident involving five members of 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 am and 2:00 am, the remaining victims were released following a ransom payment by their family members at an undisclosed location in Ogun state,” the statement read.

Clarifying the role of the security operatives, the statement further revealed that during the process of their release, 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 am today," the rest of the statement revealed.

Mr Adegoke said the association was relieved that all those abducted had now regained their freedom, although he did not disclose the amount paid as ransom.