The Oyo State Police Command has begun a manhunt for the gunmen who abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Busayo John-Paul, along with her twin sons, Peter and Paul.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday while Mrs John-Paul was taking her 12-year-old children to school along Ring Road in Ibadan.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had mobilised tactical units and other security resources to facilitate the victims’ safe rescue and bring those responsible to justice.

He said, “Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered and commence intensive investigations.

“The command wishes to assure members of the public that all necessary resources have been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this criminal act.”

The police also appealed to residents to share any information that could support ongoing investigations.

Earlier, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the abduction in a statement issued on behalf of the family.

“The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul,” the statement read.

Awogboro described the incident as heartbreaking but expressed confidence that security agencies would secure the release of the victims.

“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs John-Paul and her children,” he added.

The family urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports that could undermine rescue operations.

Reacting to the incident, the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called on Governor Seyi Makinde to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to address the growing insecurity in the state.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party called for an urgent review of the state’s security framework to better protect residents and their property.

The APC noted that the latest abduction comes amid concerns over unresolved kidnapping cases involving teachers and students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Oluyole Local Government Area.

“No citizen deserves to live in perpetual fear and anxiety, as is the situation with the residents of Oyo at the moment.

“As it stands, nobody is safe anywhere in the state, and it has never been this bad,” the party said.

The opposition party also referenced the kidnapping of one of its chieftains, Wale Oriade, in Ibadan in December 2025.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also reacted to the incident, describing it as another indication of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the development showed that no Nigerian is immune to the country’s growing kidnapping crisis.

“The fact that kidnappers could strike in such a prominent public space without fear of interception speaks volumes about the worsening security situation in the country.

“Kidnappers do not ask for party membership cards before striking. They do not distinguish between APC members and opposition supporters. They do not care whether their victims are ministers, former ministers, traders, teachers, students or farmers,” he said.

He added, “The same insecurity that has turned the lives of ordinary Nigerians into a daily nightmare is now knocking on doors many in government may have assumed were beyond its reach.”

Atiku called on the Federal Government to adopt a more robust intelligence-led strategy to tackle insecurity across the country.

“We need a comprehensive, intelligence-driven strategy capable of dismantling kidnapping syndicates, securing vulnerable communities and restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to protect lives and property,” he said.

Also reacting, APC governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ololade Bakare, sympathised with Adelabu and his family and urged authorities to act swiftly.

“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, and all available resources and strategic interventions must be deployed without delay,” Bakare said.

He further encouraged residents to stay alert and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

“Collective vigilance remains a critical component in enhancing community safety,” he added.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their involvement in the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which occurred on June 5, 2022.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the defendants guilty of terrorism-related charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.

The convicted persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25.

However, the court discharged and acquitted a fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after ruling that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence linking him to the attack.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the four convicted men were members of the terrorist group responsible for the attack.

The court found that the convicts were part of an Al-Shabaab terrorist cell operating in Kogi State and took part in the assault on the church during a Pentecost service.

More than 40 worshippers lost their lives, while over 100 others were injured when gunmen invaded the church and launched the attack.

According to the prosecution, the attackers stormed the church, held worshippers hostage and carried out the assault using AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices.

To establish its case, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and digital forensic evidence.

Among the exhibits admitted by the court was a mobile device said to contain communications exchanged by the defendants before and after the attack.

A Catholic priest who survived the incident also testified during the trial, describing how the attackers detonated multiple explosive devices inside the church, causing panic and heavy casualties among worshippers.

Justice Nwite ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution clearly established the involvement of the four convicts in the attack, leading to their conviction and subsequent death sentences on terrorism charges.

Armed gunmen have attacked a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, making away with a firearm, ammunition, and other valuables during the raid.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday that it has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night at the Immigration Service Passport Office located along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway near an NNPC filling station.

According to sources, the attackers struck while commercial activities were still ongoing at the nearby Ayanyan Cattle Market. During the invasion, officers on duty were reportedly overpowered and robbed of their weapons, although the exact number of firearms taken was not immediately known.

The attackers reportedly escaped under the cover of darkness after carrying out the operation.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said: “Oyo State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the attack on the facility of the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso, following an invasion by armed hoodlums on Tuesday, 2nd June 2026.”

He explained that preliminary reports indicated that around 8:45 p.m., the officer in charge of the facility raised an alarm after armed hoodlums breached the premises by scaling the rear perimeter fence.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, immediate reinforcement comprising operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams was deployed to the scene for intervention and assessment of the situation.

“Findings from the preliminary investigation revealed that the assailants, numbering about five, gained access to the premises through the rear fence bordering a large expanse of bushland.

“The hoodlums reportedly attacked two Immigration officers who were on night duty, assaulting them with sticks and other dangerous weapons before making away with a G3 rifle assigned to the office, together with ammunition attached thereto.

“The suspects also carted away a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers on duty, a generating set, and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route used to gain access to the facility.

“The injured officers have received necessary medical attention and are currently in stable condition.”

The police spokesperson added that surveillance and tactical teams have intensified operations in and around the area, including searches of nearby bushes and suspected escape routes, to track down the attackers and recover the stolen items.

“Meanwhile, surveillance and tactical teams have intensified operations within and around the area, including the combing of adjoining bushes and likely escape routes, in a determined effort to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearms and other valuables.

“Intelligence assets and informants have been activated to generate actionable information capable of leading to the arrest of the suspects, while all relevant investigative and operational resources have been deployed to ensure a swift breakthrough in the case.

“The Command, in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other sister security agencies, is working assiduously to ensure the prompt arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of the stolen items.”

The statement further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, has directed all operational and intelligence units to deploy every available resource toward apprehending those responsible.

It added: “The CP and the State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service have jointly constituted a collaborative task team to strengthen coordination and enhance efforts aimed at ensuring the arrest of all persons involved.”

The police chief also reassured residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding communities of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

“Useful information that could assist ongoing investigations may also be communicated through the Command’s emergency channels. All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” the statement added.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has rejected calls for the state government to negotiate with bandits responsible for the abduction of teachers and students during the coordinated attack on Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.

Instead, lawmakers urged security agencies to strengthen ongoing rescue efforts and intensify operations aimed at securing the release of all victims still being held captive.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance presented by the member representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during plenary on Wednesday after the House resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir holiday.

The motion, titled “Urgent Need for the Executive Arm of Government Through Its Security Architecture to Proactively Nip in the Bud the Spike and Recurring Bandit Attacks on Oriire Communities Since the Beginning of 2026 and to Intensify Rescue and Manhunt Operations to Secure the Release of the Abductees of the Recent Attack on Esinele, Oyo and Yawota Communities,” focused on the worsening security situation across communities in the local government area.

While presenting the motion, Ogundele recalled the attack on Ahoro-Esienle, Oyo and Yawota communities, where armed bandits reportedly invaded schools during academic activities, killing a teacher, a student and a commercial motorcyclist, while abducting several pupils, students and teachers.

He noted that Oriire had experienced a series of security breaches since the beginning of the year, including an attack on the National Park Service office in Oloka village where five forest guards lost their lives.

“Let me use this period to commend Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts and personal visit to the affected communities.

“I want to equally urge the state government to intensify support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within and around vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the area,” he said.

The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board to immediately carry out security assessments of schools located near forests and border communities.

According to the Assembly, “The Assembly also urges the government to expedite the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras in vulnerable schools and to develop a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for public and private schools across Oyo.”

The House firmly rejected suggestions that government should negotiate with the kidnappers.

“The Assembly equally rejects suggestions and calls that the state government should negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students during the coordinated attack in a community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on Friday, May 15, 2026.”

Supporting the motion, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove obstacles hindering its creation.

Adedoyin argued that recent rescue operations highlighted the limitations faced by conventional security agencies in navigating dense forest areas, forcing them to depend heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps.

Other lawmakers also weighed in on the debate. Olubisi Oluranti praised the efforts of Governor Makinde and security agencies but stressed the need for increased security deployment to vulnerable communities.

Gbenga Oyekola blamed part of the security challenge on the poor management of vast forest reserves under federal control, noting that many of the areas lacked adequate security presence despite reports of mining activities and helicopter movements.

Babajide Gabriel called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s security system and appealed to the state government to recruit more personnel into the Amotekun Corps. He also criticised attempts to politicise the insecurity crisis.

Dawood Olalere warned that kidnapping was no longer limited to remote forest communities, citing the reported abduction of the sister and two sons of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan as evidence that the threat was spreading to urban areas.

He called for better equipment and weapons for Amotekun operatives, arguing that locally made arms were insufficient against heavily armed criminal groups.

Following deliberations, the House adopted several resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government and relevant defence agencies to establish a permanent military base in Oriire Local Government Area.

Lawmakers also urged the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) to provide trauma counselling, psychosocial support and relief materials for affected families, while encouraging traditional rulers, community leaders and local government authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing efforts.

The Assembly further directed its Committee on Security and Strategy to visit Oriire Local Government Area to assess the situation, engage stakeholders and recommend urgent legislative measures.

Speaking after the debate, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin reiterated the Assembly’s opposition to negotiating with kidnappers and terrorists, warning that such a move could encourage more attacks.

While acknowledging the pain and anxiety of families whose loved ones remain in captivity, he urged residents to continue supporting security agencies and government efforts aimed at securing the victims’ release.

Ogundoyin maintained that negotiating with criminals would send the wrong message and potentially strengthen their operations, insisting that the priority should remain sustained security actions, intelligence-driven operations and coordinated rescue missions.

He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that would improve security across Oyo State and prevent future attacks on schools and communities.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an independent and transparent investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of the voter registration details of Nollywood actor Emeka Ike.

The controversy began after Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, shared screenshots on X showing details of Ike’s voter registration transfer from Imo State to Abuja.

Olayinka published the information, which appeared to have been obtained from a restricted administrative portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, while questioning the actor’s qualification to contest for a House of Representatives seat in Abuja following his participation in recent primary elections.

The post sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians alleging that Olayinka may have gained access to a password-protected system intended solely for INEC officials.

Responding to the controversy on Tuesday, INEC denied reports of a major security breach or external hacking of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database.

The commission explained that the unauthorised disclosure resulted from the misuse of legitimate internal credentials by personnel involved in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said INEC’s admission that sensitive voter information was accessed and released without authorisation raises serious concerns that must be fully addressed.

According to him, the electoral body owes Nigerians clear answers on how confidential voter data ended up in the possession of political actors.

He also insisted that INEC must go beyond issuing public statements and make the findings of its investigation available to Nigerians in the interest of transparency and accountability.

“INEC’s statement has moved this issue beyond conjecture. The Commission has now confirmed that voter information was accessed through credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing CVR exercise and that such information was released without authority,” he said.

“That admission alone should concern every Nigerian.

“What Nigerians want to know is simple: how did information that resides within a restricted electoral database find its way into the hands of political actors and their associates?

“The fact that there was no external hack does not diminish the gravity of the incident.

“If anything, it raises even more troubling questions about internal controls, institutional safeguards, and the possibility of political interference.

“The Nigerian people deserve to know the complete chain of custody. Who accessed the information? Who requested it? Who received it? How did it leave INEC’s custody?

“And why did the trail lead directly to political actors associated with a serving minister who has repeatedly made unusually confident pronouncements about the outcome of a future election?”

Atiku maintained that only a thorough, independent investigation would help restore public confidence in the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and clarify the circumstances surrounding the release of the actor’s voter registration information.