The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspects and the killing of two others during a rescue operation that led to the release of Busola Adegoke John-Paul, the sister of All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children in Ibadan.
The operation, which took place on Saturday night in the Ayegun area of Oluyole Local Government Area, also led to the recovery of firearms, including a pump-action gun.
According to the police, the abductees were rescued from a three-bedroom bungalow where the suspects had kept them hidden.
Speaking while conducting journalists around the scene on Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, said the operation followed actionable intelligence received by the command.
“The police acted on a tip-off, which eventually resulted in the rescuing of the victims,” he said.
Security sources confirmed that a gun battle occurred during the raid, leading to the death of two suspects, while four others were arrested. Some fleeing suspects were reportedly injured by gunfire but escaped.
Busola Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons were abducted earlier in the week in Ibadan after armed men trailed their vehicle and intercepted them at Elewura-Challenge in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
The victims were seized at about 7:30 a.m. in the early hours of Wednesday, shortly after leaving their residence.
The incident had triggered concern in the state, prompting intensified security operations that ultimately led to their rescue.
The police said efforts are ongoing to track down remaining members of the kidnapping gang and recover additional weapons used during the operation.
Authorities assured residents that security operations across the state will be sustained to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes.
