IBADAN, NIGERIA – Gunmen have abducted the wife and twin children of the younger brother of Bayo Adelabu, a former Minister of Power and an All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant for the 2027 election in Oyo State.
The abduction occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area, the state capital, according to an eyewitness who spoke with PUNCH Online.
Confirming the incident, Femi Awogboro, a media aide to Mr Adelabu, identified the victims as Laide (the wife) and her twin sons, Peter and Paul. He stated that the family was ambushed early Wednesday morning at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan.
“They were heading out from Elewura to join the expressway when unknown gunmen attacked and forcibly drove them away,” Awogboro explained.
The latest abduction adds to growing security concerns in Oyo State. In a previous incident on 15 May 2026, over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped during a co-ordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area.
Similarly, in December 2025, APC chieftain Wale Oriade was abducted by armed men in Ibadan. That attack took place at approximately 7:06 pm at his office in PJ Square Shopping Complex, Elewure, along the Akala Expressway, New Garage. Eyewitnesses reported that two men in a blue Micra – a driver and an armed assailant – seized Oriade and escaped in the same vehicle.
“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” an eyewitness said at the time.
When contacted on Wednesday, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a text message to Crime Reporters Oyo: “I cannot independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”