Fresh fears over worsening insecurity in Oyo State emerged on Wednesday as gunmen abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Bayo Adelabu, along with her twin children in Ibadan.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped in the Elewura area of Challenge, located in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the incident, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, disclosed that the family members were attacked while travelling out of their residence.
“Adelabu’s younger sister, together with her twin (Peter and Paul), were kidnapped this morning (Wednesday) by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan.
“The family members were going out this morning from Elewura to link the express when they were attacked and whisked away by the unknown kidnappers,” he explained.
The latest abduction has heightened concerns about the security situation in Oyo State, coming barely weeks after more than 40 teachers and students were kidnapped during a coordinated attack on Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The state has also witnessed other high-profile kidnapping incidents in recent times. In December 2025, APC chieftain Wale Oriade was abducted by armed men in Ibadan.
Oriade was reportedly kidnapped around 7:06 p.m. at his office located within PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station at Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle occupied by a driver and an armed accomplice before forcibly taking him away.
“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness said.
Reacting to the latest incident, the Oyo State Police Command said it was still verifying the report.
“I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a text message to Crime Reporters Oyo.
The abduction has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures in the state, as residents continue to express concerns over the increasing wave of kidnappings and violent crimes.
