Oyo State government takes down building used by kidnappers linked to Adelabu’s sister

The Oyo State Government has pulled down a building that kidnappers used as a hideout at Lakoun, Ayegun-Olojuoro Road in Ibadan. This happened days after security agents rescued Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons from captivity at that location.

The demolition occurred just 24 hours after the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, took journalists and security personnel to the site on Sunday. Investigators said this was where the victims had been held before their rescue.

Officials told the press that this action is part of the ongoing efforts by the state government and security agencies to take down hideouts used by criminals and to improve security across the state.

A one-minute video of the demolition was shared by Oyo Affairs, a local news outlet in the state.

The building first drew public attention on Sunday when the police commissioner led journalists and a team from the Force around the premises. He shared details of the intelligence-led operation that helped rescue the victims.

According to Mr Olugbenga, early investigations showed that suspected kidnappers had been using the property to hold their victims. "There have been bringing abductees here. They bring them here, people see them, even people greet them welcome sometimes," the commissioner said during the visit.

He expressed concern that residents did not report the suspicious activities happening around the building, even though it was in a residential area. The commissioner noted that victims rescued from the compound told investigators they could hear noises from nearby houses but could not escape the premises.

During the visit, he urged people in the community to report any unusual movements or activities to security agencies. He stressed that the cooperation of the community is very important in preventing crime.

The abduction

Mrs John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were kidnapped early in the morning on June 3 while driving the boys to school in Ibadan. This incident raised alarm across Oyo State and got reactions from the government, security agencies, and residents.

After the abduction, Governor Seyi Makinde visited Mr Adelabu to assure him that security agencies were working hard to secure the victims’ release. The victims were rescued on Saturday during an operation by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department, Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).

Police officials said the rescue followed days of gathering intelligence, surveillance, and tactical operations that allowed investigators to track down the kidnappers. According to the Nigeria Police Force, two suspected kidnappers were killed during an encounter with operatives, and firearms were seized from the arrested suspects.

The Force also said they are still working to catch other members of the kidnapping gang who are believed to have escaped during the operation.