By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
The Oyo State Government on Monday demolished a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Lakoun community along the Ayegun–Olojuoro Road in Ibadan, following the rescue of Mrs. Olaide Adegoke John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons.
The structure, identified as the location where the victims were allegedly held captive, was brought down after a coordinated security operation and subsequent assessment of the site by security authorities.
Ibadan-based digital media platform, Oyo Affairs, which shared footage of the demolition on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the building served as the kidnappers’ operational base.
Another platform, Oyo Matters, also circulated images and videos of the exercise, confirming the complete demolition of the criminal hideout linked to the abduction incident.
Security sources disclosed that the demolition followed an on-the-spot inspection of the facility by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abimbola Oluwagbemiga, as part of ongoing follow-up operations after the victims’ rescue.
It was gathered that two members of the kidnapping syndicate were neutralised during the rescue operation carried out on Saturday, while four other suspects were arrested and later paraded at the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
Security operatives reportedly recovered firearms and other incriminating items during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the gang.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies as efforts intensify to dismantle kidnapping networks across the state.
The development underscores renewed efforts by the Oyo State Government and security agencies to rid the state of criminal hideouts and strengthen public safety.
