Justice Served: Oyo State Demolishes Kidnappers' Den After High-Profile Abduction

The Oyo State Government has officially demolished a building identified as a kidnappers’ hideout located at Lakoun, Ayegun-Olojuoro Road in Ibadan. This decisive action comes days after security operatives successfully rescued Mrs. Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who had been held captive on the residential premises.

The demolition, carried out by officials from the Ministry of Lands and Housing in collaboration with various security agencies, took place barely 24 hours after the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, led journalists and security personnel on a visit to the property. Investigations had confirmed that the victims were held at this location before their rescue. Officials have stated that this action is a critical component of the state government’s and security agencies’ ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and enhance security across Oyo State, reinforcing the government's zero-tolerance stance against criminality.

The property garnered significant public attention when Commissioner Olugbenga detailed the intelligence-led operation that culminated in the victims’ rescue. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspected kidnappers had been systematically utilizing the building as a holding facility for abducted individuals. Expressing profound concern, Mr. Olugbenga highlighted that suspicious activities at the property allegedly went unreported by local residents, despite its conspicuous location within a residential neighborhood. He further revealed that victims rescued from the compound recounted hearing activities from neighboring houses, underscoring their proximity to the community while being unable to escape. During his visit, the commissioner vehemently urged residents to promptly report any suspicious movements or unusual activities to security agencies, emphasizing that community cooperation is indispensable in effective crime prevention.

Mrs. John-Paul and her twin sons were abducted in the early hours of June 3 while she was driving them to school in Ibadan. The incident sparked widespread concern throughout Oyo State and elicited strong reactions from government officials, security agencies, and residents alike. Following the abduction, Governor Seyi Makinde visited Mr. Adelabu, assuring him that security agencies were intensifying their efforts to secure the victims’ release. The rescue operation, conducted on a Saturday by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), was the culmination of days of meticulous intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations that enabled investigators to trace the kidnappers. The Nigeria Police Force reported that two suspected kidnappers were killed during a confrontation with operatives, and firearms were recovered from arrested suspects. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate who are believed to have escaped during the operation.