The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has confirmed that the three kidnapped members of the Association by Fulani kidnappers at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Oyo State, Nigeria, have been released after paying an undisclosed ransom.
The released victims are Ayebusia Toyin, Ayebusiwa Tayo and Omosoluyi Omoseyimi.
Earlier, the kidnappers willingly released Apostle William Solomon and Rufus Megbowon on health grounds in what the association described as a “divine arrangement.“
The Association also claimed that those arrested by the police in connection with the crime may not be part of the kidnappers, as they were randomly arrested, stressing that the arrested people have not confessed to being part of the kidnappers.
CRIN Director of Human Resources, Onatunde Onanuga to journalists that the farmers were released in the morning of Saturday, March 21, 2026.
“He said, “It is actually true that the kidnapped victims have been released. They were released this morning, around 3 am, after paying the ransom. Three of them were released. After their release, the kidnappers started shooting sporadically, and one of the kidnapped victims ran into the bush again. They brought two. Around 8 am, they saw the third one. The police has arrested three persons in connection with the kidnapping, but they have not confessed whether they are part of them or not.”
Also, the National President of CFAN, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, in a statement, said that the final group of victims regained their freedom in the early hours of Saturday after their families met the kidnappers’ demands.
The statement stated, “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.
The victims were abducted earlier last week while on a familiarisation visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria headquarters in Ibadan.
