The Oyo State Government on Monday pulled down a three-bedroom bungalow used as a hideout by kidnappers in the Lako Community on the Aiyegun to Anaye road in the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state. The demolition followed a successful intelligence-led rescue operation that secured the freedom of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of Bayo Adelabu, a former Minister of Power and an aspirant in the 2027 governorship election under the All Provinces Congress in the state, and her twin children, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan.
Leading the demolition exercise on Monday, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, was accompanied by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Goke Adenrele, and other officials of the ministry. Mogbonjubola stated that the move would send a strong warning to property owners in the state to be wary of yielding their property to individuals with heinous and shady dealings. Explaining the rationale behind the action, the commissioner said, “The move was part of efforts by the government to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.” He further added, “The state government has also revoked the land from its owner in its commitment to ensure the safety of lives and combat insecurity in the state.” He therefore admonished landlords’ associations, housing agents, and residents of the state to always be vigilant about their areas and tenants and alert the government to any suspicious movement or criminal activities.
Earlier, the vice chairman of the Landlords Association, Ayegun-Lako Community, Matthew Olaiya, explained that the building had been newly occupied. He stated, “The occupant of the three-bedroom bungalow rented the apartment recently.” Responding to a question on whether residents of the area noticed suspicious activities before the abduction incident occurred, Olaiya said, “The occupant of the building always returned late at night and used to be away for days.”
The victims, Mrs John-Paul and her 12-year-old twins, Peter and Paul, who were abducted at Elewura in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, regained freedom on Saturday night following the successful rescue operation. The state Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, on Sunday paraded four suspects arrested in connection with the crime at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, after leading a team of police officers and journalists to the kidnappers' hideout located at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, on Sunday. While parading the suspects, the police chief urged residents to remain vigilant and report fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate. Security operatives recovered several items from the suspects, including three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the abduction, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs, and two face masks. The abduction was carried out by armed attackers who trailed the car conveying the victims from their home before flagging them down at 7:30 am on the day of the incident. This development comes as over 40 teachers and students who were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state remain in captivity.
CP Abimbola explained that the operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving operatives of the Force Intelligence Department to Intelligence Response Team, the State Police Command, and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force. Highlighting the timeline, he said, “The victims were abducted at about 7:30am on June 3 while the mother was taking her children to school along Elewura Street, off Ring Road, Ibadan.” The police boss noted that law enforcement moved swiftly upon getting the report. He stated, “Following the report of the incident, the command immediately launched an intelligence-driven manhunt on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, leading to the deployment of specialised tactical and intelligence teams.” He revealed that the breakthrough began with a key arrest, stating, “The operation led to the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as ‘Oloro,’ who was already on the command’s watchlist. His arrest provided a major breakthrough that exposed the wider kidnapping network.”
The commissioner further added, “Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Dare Oyedele, alias ‘Solution,’ identified as another key member of the gang.” Police investigations revealed that the kidnappers had monitored the family’s activities for weeks before the abduction, conducting surveillance on their daily movements, vehicles, lifestyle, and the schools attended by the children, while also uncovering evidence suggesting attempts to recruit an insider connected to the household as part of the plot. The commissioner disclosed that intelligence gathered from the suspects and digital evidence eventually led operatives to storm the gang’s hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, on June 6 at about 7:30 pm in a carefully coordinated rescue mission. Describing the heavy confrontation at the scene, Abimbola said, “Upon sighting the operatives, one of the gang members identified as Kelechi, who was serving as a lookout for the gang, opened fire on the police team.” He concluded, “Our operatives responded professionally and successfully neutralised him and another unidentified member of the syndicate,”
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