Gunmen have abducted the younger sister and twin children of former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in an early morning attack that has heightened fears over rising insecurity in the region.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Elewura area in the Challenge axis of Ibadan, where the victims were reportedly seized by unidentified armed men. The abducted individuals include Adelabu’s sister and her twin children, identified as Peter and Paul.
Confirming the development, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, said the family members were taken during the early hours of the day. “Adelabu’s younger sister, together with her twins, were kidnapped this morning by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan,” he said.
Details surrounding the abduction remain sketchy, including whether the attackers made contact with the family or issued any ransom demands. Security agencies in Oyo State have yet to release an official statement, but local sources say efforts are underway to trace the perpetrators and secure the victims’ release.
The kidnapping adds to a growing list of abduction cases reported across southwestern Nigeria in recent months, with criminal gangs increasingly targeting both high-profile individuals and their relatives. Analysts say such incidents often aim to exert pressure on prominent figures or extract substantial ransom payments.
Adelabu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and a gubernatorial aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections in Oyo State, has not publicly commented on the incident as of press time. However, political associates have expressed concern and called for urgent intervention by security agencies.
Residents in the Challenge area described the attack as brazen, noting that it occurred despite increased security patrols in parts of the city. “People are worried because this is a busy part of Ibadan. If something like this can happen here, then nowhere feels truly safe,” a local trader said.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained a persistent security challenge in Nigeria, with authorities under pressure to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve rapid response mechanisms.
As investigations continue, attention is now focused on how quickly security forces can track down the abductors and ensure the safe return of the victims, amid growing public anxiety over safety in the state.