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–Anaye road in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
This demolition followed a successful intelligence-led rescue operation that secured 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 Progressives 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, accompanied by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Goke Adenrele, and officials of the ministry, said 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.
Mogbonjubola said, “The move was part of efforts by the government to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
“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, said, “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.”
PUNCH Metro reports that 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 a successful intelligence-led rescue operation that secured the trio.
It will also be recalled that the state Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, had on Sunday paraded four suspects arrested in connection with their abduction at the command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
CP Abimbola had earlier led a team of police officers and journalists to the kidnappers’ hideout located at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, in the local government area on Sunday.
While parading them, the CP urged residents to remain vigilant and report fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Items recovered from the suspects included 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 some armed attackers who were said to have trailed the car conveying the victims from their home before flagging them down at 7:30am at the scene of the incident.
Also, over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Abimbola said the operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, the State Police Command, and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“The gang allegedly conducted surveillance on the family’s daily movements, vehicles, lifestyle, and the schools attended by the children. Investigators also uncovered 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 the gang’s hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North.
He said operatives stormed the location on June 6 at about 7:30pm in a carefully coordinated rescue mission.
“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.
“Our operatives responded professionally and successfully neutralised him and another unidentified member of the syndicate,” he said.
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