By Peter Omopo
Fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in Oyo State have emerged following the abduction of the wife and twin children of the younger brother of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Details surrounding the incident remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, with security agencies yet to issue an official statement on the circumstances of the abduction or efforts being made to secure the victims’ release.
The latest kidnapping has further heightened anxiety among residents amid growing concerns about insecurity across Oyo State, where a series of high-profile abductions have been recorded in recent months.
The incident comes barely weeks after more than 40 teachers and students were reportedly abducted during a coordinated attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area.
In another notable case, an APC chieftain, Wale Oriade, was kidnapped by armed men in Ibadan in December 2025. The abduction occurred at his office located within the PJ Square Shopping Complex near the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) station along the Iyana Ajanla axis of Akala Expressway in the New Garage area of the city.
The increasing wave of kidnappings has intensified public concern over the safety of residents, particularly in urban centres that were previously considered relatively secure.
Residents and stakeholders have continued to call on security agencies and government authorities to strengthen measures aimed at curbing criminal activities and restoring public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
As of press time, no group had claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, while efforts to obtain official comments from relevant authorities were ongoing.
