The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has expressed concern over what it described as the worsening security situation in the state, following the abduction of Mrs. Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her two children in Ibadan.
The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare on Wednesday said the incident has heightened fears among residents who are already worried about a series of unresolved kidnapping cases across the state.
Mrs. John-Paul, a sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, was reportedly kidnapped alongside her 12-year-old twin sons on Wednesday morning at the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan.
The victims were said to have been intercepted by unknown armed men who allegedly trailed their vehicle before carrying out the attack.
The APC noted that the incident occurred while security agencies are still battling to secure the release of school pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) who were kidnapped in the Idi-Ayunre area of Oluyole Local Government.
The party called on authorities at all levels of government to review and strengthen the state’s security framework to ensure adequate protection of lives and property. It also urged security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing all persons currently being held by kidnappers.
According to the APC, Governor Seyi Makinde should work more closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to tackle the growing wave of abductions and violent crimes in the state. The party warned that the increasing cases of insecurity have created anxiety among residents and require immediate and coordinated intervention.