By The Food and Farmers’ Rights Campaign (FFRC) has called on the relevant stakeholders in Ogun state, including Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the security agencies, over what it describes as escalating spate of kidnapping and banditry.
In a statement issued on Monday, April 27, the National Coordinator, Eko John Nicholas, codemns the rising abduction of farmers on their farms in Ijebuland and citizens across the state. Mr. John noted that Ijebuland, in particular, has become a safe haven for criminal prepetrators who roam unchallenged.
“The Food and Farmers’ Rights Campaign (FFRC) condemns the incessant abductions of citizens, especially farmers around Ijebu axis in particular, and Ogun state in general, and the ineptitude of the security agencies especially the Nigeria Police Force, and the insensitivity of the Dapo Abiodun-led government in the face of worsening insecurity,” he said.
He recounted several cases of abduction and ransom collections that have been executed subsequently between February and April, particularly around the Ikangba/Agoro-Okun Owa axis of the Old Lagos-Benin Road, in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state, which hosts one of the biggest catfish farm clusters and value chain addition in the state.
The statement noted that on Monday, February 9th, 2026, Mr. Adams Omamegbe and four others were the first victim of abduction at Alayo Fish Farm Cluster in Agoro Town. On Tuesday, March 31, another Mr. Adewale Amusa, a poultry farmer was kidnapped near the first crime scene. Another victim who is still in the kidnappers den, Mr. Osidipe Olusoji, a retired civil servant, was abducted on April 24, 2026.
The body accused the governor of being silent on the issue, condemning the security agencies of culpability in the ongoing unrest. The body noted that security officers have once facilitated the two hundred million naira ransom negotiation of Mr. Amusa with kidnappers in Omu-Aran, Kwara state.
“And from the freed victims’ accounts, all the ransoms were paid in cash and delivered at Omu-Aran in Kwara state. While Mr Omamegbe paid N70m (seventy million naira only) as ransom, Mr Amusa was said to have paid N200m (two hundred Million naira only).
“Paradoxically, in the case of Amusa’s ransom payment, some security officers were allegedly involved in the negotiations, and also escorted and accompanied the ransom to Omu Aran for safe delivery, where it was said to be ferried by a helicopter to an unknown destination!” He added.
The resulting effects of this silence, he said, have been rising abductions of citizens and collection of millions as ransom payments across Ijebuland and other areas, including Ikangba Agoro-Okun Owa axis, Oke Erin/Imope along Ijebu Ode- Ibadan express road, Imagbon, Itele, among others
“Presently, in most of these areas especially the agrarian ones, like Ikangba/Agoro, Oke Erin, etc, some farmers have abandoned their farms for fear of being kidnapped. While those still tending their farms, are doing so at their own peril, and in palpable fears and helplessness,” Mr. John added.
The body has now called on the citizens to organise mass actions, demanding government and security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, to search forests harbouring criminals, dislosge, arrest, and persecute them in the courts of law. They also demanded that culpable sponsors and aids should be investigated and charged to courts.
In addition, he called on the state government to discontinue all policies against the poor masses and implement the necessary policies for societal growth.
“FFRC calls the governments and the security forces to act with alacrity at ensuring that the kidnapped victim still in kidnappers’ dens is swiftly freed without delay and reunited with his family. Also importantly, we demand the payments of compensation to all victims of abduction who were compelled to raise millions of naira in ransom.”
Kidnapping in 2026
Insecurity in Nigeria, including Kidnapping for ransom, has been a rising threat in recent years.
In April, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) disclosed that more than 1,000 citizens have been abducted across the country since January 2026.
According to the CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullah, noted that the increase in kidnapping cases is linked to broader governance failures, including unemployment, poverty, and weakening state institutions.
The federal government of Nigeria, including the Ondo state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun, must take deliberate and urgent steps to end the cycle of violence, reinstall decorum and provide protection for affected communities.
