Gunmen on Wednesday morning abducted the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State, in a violent incident that occurred in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly attacked while on their way for the school run, throwing the neighbourhood into panic.
Security sources said the incident happened around 7:30 a.m. when armed men intercepted the vehicle conveying the woman and her children.
Residents were said to have fled in different directions as the attackers operated briefly before whisking the victims away to an unknown location, prompting immediate alerts to security agencies.
Morning attack in Challenge area
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with early-morning commuters and school-bound parents caught in sudden fear and confusion as gunmen struck along a busy route.
“She was on her way to drop the children when armed men blocked the road and forced them into another direction,” a resident said.
Security operatives have since launched a search operation, with patrols intensified across surrounding communities and forest routes believed to be escape corridors for abductors.
Security concerns in Oyo State
The abduction has renewed public concern over recurring kidnapping cases in Oyo State, where similar incidents involving students, teachers and political figures have been recorded in recent months.
In 2025, several school-related abductions in the state sparked statewide protests and calls for stronger policing of rural and urban corridors.
Confirming the incident, a family source said efforts were ongoing in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to secure the release of the victims and ensure the safe return of the children.
“We are working closely with security operatives and remain hopeful that they will be brought back safely,” the source said.
The incident has triggered fresh debate among residents over worsening insecurity and the vulnerability of road users during early morning hours, with many calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further attacks.
