The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the abduction of Mrs Busayo Adelabu John-Paul, a younger sister of a former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons by suspected gunmen in Ibadan.

The opposition party, while expressing concern over the worsening security situation in the state, called on Governor Seyi Makinde to work more closely with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to stem the growing wave of kidnappings and violent crimes.

Mrs John-Paul was reportedly abducted on Wednesday alongside her twin sons at the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Sources said the victims were travelling from their residence when armed men, who allegedly trailed their vehicle, intercepted them around 7:30am and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC described the abduction as disturbing, particularly at a time when residents were already anxious over unresolved kidnapping cases involving schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as two members of staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in the Idi-Ayunre area of Oluyole Local Government Area.

The party warned that insecurity in the state was assuming an alarming dimension and urged authorities at all levels to urgently strengthen the security architecture to protect lives and property.

“We use this medium to appeal to the relevant authorities at the federal, state and local government levels to take a critical look at the security architecture of Oyo State with a view to tightening all loose ends and ensuring maximum protection of lives and property of citizens regardless of their background, economic or socio-political status,” the statement read.

The APC also demanded the immediate rescue of all victims currently in captivity, including the Oriire school abductees, the two CRIN workers, Mrs Busayo John-Paul and her children.

“We demand immediate rescue of all Oriire school abductees, two CRIN staff, Mrs Busayo John-Paul and her children, as well as others who are in captivity at the moment,” the party stated.

The opposition party further urged Governor Makinde and security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the rising spate of kidnappings and violent attacks across the state.

“No citizen deserves to live in perpetual fear and anxiety as it is the situation with residents of Oyo State at the moment. We call on Governor Makinde to seek help where necessary so that the situation does not degenerate further. As it stands, nobody is safe anywhere in the state and it has never been this bad,” the statement added.

The Imo State Police Command has arrested three students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), over the alleged killing of a 21-year-old undergraduate, Chinedu Chibuzor Christogonus, following accusations that he stole N13,500.

The victim, a 100-level Cyber Security student and member of the university’s Man O’ War organisation, reportedly died after he was allegedly assaulted by fellow members of the group.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement, saying preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was allegedly restrained and severely assaulted, resulting in fatal injuries.

According to the police, the suspects are Chukwuemeka Benedict, 21; Kelechi Gospel Ikenna, 24; and Obioma Anastasia, 21, all 500-level students of the institution.

Okoye said the victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, after the incident but was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

He said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the deceased, a 100-level student of Cyber Security and a member of the Man O’ War organisation in FUTO, was allegedly subjected to severe assault by some members of the organisation following an accusation of theft involving the sum of N13,500.

“Initial findings indicate that the deceased was allegedly restrained and assaulted, resulting in critical injuries.

He was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.”

The police spokesman disclosed that the arrests were made on the directive of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Audu Garba Bosso, shortly after the incident was reported.

He added that relevant evidence had been recovered, while the victim’s remains had been deposited in a morgue pending autopsy.

Okoye further stated that the commissioner had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Owerri for a comprehensive investigation.

Bosso, according to the statement, directed investigators to identify and question all persons linked to the incident, warning that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.

The police commissioner assured the deceased’s family, the university community and residents of a thorough and professional investigation, insisting that no suspect would be shielded regardless of status.

He urged residents to remain calm while investigations continue, reiterating the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the deceased.

The Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Abdullai Muhammadu, has been arrested by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command over alleged links to a kidnapping syndicate terrorising communities in Ijebuland, with detectives reportedly recovering a bag used for ransom payment from his kitchen.

Muhammadu, 67, who was arrested alongside his eldest son, Bello, however, denied involvement in kidnapping, insisting that although he knew one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, had previously engaged in the crime, he believed the suspect had abandoned criminality after serving a prison sentence.

It was gathered that the arrest followed weeks of intelligence-led investigations by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command into repeated abductions in Ijebu Ode, Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, Okun Owa and neighbouring communities.

Investigators reportedly traced the incidents to Bala, a suspected kidnap kingpin who had recently regained freedom after serving a five-year jail term for kidnapping.

Police sources disclosed that operatives, led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, SP Bamidele Shirtu, stormed the family compound following credible intelligence but discovered that Bala and two of his brothers had fled moments before their arrival.

A police source informed that one of the bags allegedly used to deliver ransom to kidnappers was recovered in the suspect’s residence.

The source said, “After painstaking intelligence investigation, one of the bags used in ransom payment for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen.

“One of the children in the compound saw operatives entering the community and alerted Bala and his brothers. They escaped through the bush before security operatives got there.

“It is not only Bala involved in kidnapping. There is also Ndaji and another brother, and we are on their trail. There was an upsurge in kidnapping around the area after Bala regained freedom from prison, where he spent five years for the same offence.”

Speaking after his arrest, Muhammadu maintained his innocence, stressing that he had lived peacefully in Yorubaland for over three decades.

“My name is Muhammadu Abdulai. I am a cattle rearer and farmer. I have lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years. I have four wives and 30 children. I was honoured with the title of Seriki Fulani in Ijebu Ode by the immediate past Awujale,” he said.

The traditional Fulani leader denied knowledge of the recovered ransom bag.

“I don’t know anything about the bag found in my house. I live in the same compound with my wives and children. I have never kidnapped anybody in my life,” he stated.

Muhammadu, however, admitted that Bala had a history of kidnapping.

“I know Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. After he returned, I took him to the hospital because he was very sick and spent one month receiving treatment.

“I thought he had changed because he returned to farming and cattle rearing. I didn’t know he had gone back to kidnapping. I am not involved in kidnapping and will never encourage it,” he added.

Also speaking, Bello Muhammadu, the eldest son arrested alongside his father, denied involvement in criminal activities, saying he was on the farm when policemen stormed their residence.

He said, “I am not into kidnapping. I only know Bala had been arrested and imprisoned some years ago. I don’t know anything about what he or my brothers are doing.

“If my father knew Bala had returned to crime, he would not support him.”

Confirming the operation, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the success recorded against kidnappers and other violent criminals in the state was made possible through the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the operational leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni.

Babaseyi said the operation, which led to the arrest of suspects and recovery of incriminating exhibits, reflected the professionalism, bravery and intelligence-driven approach of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

He assured residents that sustained efforts were ongoing to dismantle criminal syndicates operating within Ogun and neighbouring states while urging members of the public to support security agencies with credible information.