Gunmen have struck a devastating blow in Oyo State, abducting the younger sister of former Power Minister Chief Adebayo Adelabu alongside her twin children.
The terrifying Challenge Ibadan abduction occurred on Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through the local community. As the Oyo State security crisis deepens, eyewitnesses report that the middle-aged woman was merely driving her children to school when the attackers cornered her vehicle. This latest high-profile ambush has left residents reeling and raised urgent questions about public safety in the state capital.
Terrifying Details of the Challenge Ibadan Abduction
The victim was driving her Kia Sonata vehicle through the Elewura area of Challenge when the assault took place. Armed men blocked her path, forcing her to a halt at gunpoint. The assailants then compelled her and the children to abandon their car.
The gunmen quickly bundled the mother and her twins into their own getaway vehicle before speeding away from the scene. Legendary broadcaster Yinka Ayefele shed more light on the situation during a live broadcast on Fresh FM. Ayefele confirmed he spoke directly with the 2027 Oyo APC gubernatorial aspirant, who “confirmed to him that the victim is her sister.”
Witnesses Relive the Ibadan Gunmen Kidnap Horror
The operation was swift, brutal, and calculated to induce maximum panic. According to local residents, the attackers did not hesitate to use open force to clear their escape route. “An eyewitness said sporadic gunshots were fired to scare residents and passers-by away from the scene.”
The gunfire triggered immediate chaos in the commercial hub. “Residents reportedly scampered to safety as the shooting continued.” Bystanders fled into nearby shops and houses, leaving the streets deserted within minutes as the kidnappers made their clean getaway with the three hostages.
Deepening Oyo State Security Crisis Sparks Alarm
This bold morning ambush is not an isolated incident. Instead, it marks a worrying escalation in a region traditionally considered a safe haven in the southwest. The state has seen a sharp rise in violent abductions over recent weeks, leaving citizens feeling increasingly vulnerable.
Notably, “the incident comes barely 20 days after the kidnapping of 47 students and teachers in Ahoro Esiele, in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.”
That mass abduction had already put security agencies on high alert. This fresh strike against the family of a prominent politician proves that the perpetrators are growing more audacious, targeting high-value individuals in broad daylight. Police commands have launched a manhunt, but no official ransom demand has been made public yet.
