The Oyo State Government on Monday demolished a residential building in Ibadan used by kidnappers who abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her two children.
The three-bedroom bungalow, located in the Lako Community along the Aiyegun-Anaye Road in Oluyole Local Government Area, was pulled down by officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation under the protection of police operatives.
Authorities said the property served as a hideout and detention facility for kidnappers, adding that its demolition forms part of the state government’s crackdown on criminal hideouts and efforts to strengthen security across Oyo State.
The action followed the rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted on June 3 at the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan. Security operatives later rescued the victims after tracking the suspects to the area.
Government officials said the demolition was intended to send a strong warning to criminal elements operating within the state and reaffirm the administration’s resolve to dismantle structures linked to criminal activities.
The development came as the Oyo State Police Command faulted residents of the community for allegedly failing to report suspicious activities around the property despite repeated movements of suspected kidnappers in the area.
Speaking during a visit to the location, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the building had been used on several occasions as a transit point and detention centre for kidnapped victims.
According to him, some residents were aware of activities around the house but failed to alert security agencies.
“They have been bringing abductees here and people see them. Some residents even exchange pleasantries with them and say, ‘Welcome.’ When such things happen and nobody reports them, it becomes difficult for security agencies to act proactively,” the police commissioner said.
Olugbenga stressed that timely information from residents could have enabled security agencies to intervene earlier and possibly prevent some of the crimes linked to the property.
“If suspicious movements and activities had been reported promptly, we would have taken necessary action before the situation escalated,” he added.
The commissioner urged residents to become more security-conscious and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting unusual movements, unfamiliar persons and suspicious activities in their communities.
He maintained that tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes requires active collaboration between security agencies and members of the public.
Meanwhile, Olugbenga declined to confirm reports linking Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Igboho to the rescue operation, stating that he was not aware of any involvement by the activist.
The state government reiterated that any property found to have been used for criminal purposes would face similar action as part of ongoing efforts to rid Oyo State of criminal networks and improve public safety.
