ADC House Of Reps Candidate, Abidikugu Condemns Rising Insecurity In Oyo, Prays for Safe Return Of Kidnapped Victims 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), House of Representatives Candidate for Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East Federal Constituency, Dr Kazeem Adesina Abidikugu, popularly known as KSO, has condemned the increase in the spate of kidnapping and banditry across the country, and most especially of recent in Oyo State.

This is as he also called on both the State and the Federal government to find ways of protecting the citizens, saying the security of lives and properties is the main function expected from the governments at all levels.

It could be recalled that teachers and pupils of schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State were forcefully taken away by kidnappers, while two teachers were killed by the kidnappers recently.

Also on Wednesday morning in Ibadan, armed gunmen at an early hour abducted Busayo John-Paul, a 43-year-old, younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons.

The victims were reportedly abducted at about 7:30 a.m. around the Challenge area while Mrs John-Paul was taking her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to school in a wine-colored Hyundai Sonata.

In a statement he issued on Thursday, Abidikugu, a Nigerian United Kingdom-based psychiatric consultant, condemned the attackers and prays that the pupils and teachers of Orire Local Government will safely return to their families, while he sympathized with the families of the killed teachers.

Abidikugu, who is the Agba-Akin Bobajiro of Ibadanland, also prays for the quick release of Adebayo Adelabu’s sister and her two sons.

He offered his sympathy to the former Minister, Chief Adelabu, and the entire Adelabu family of Ibadan, praying that the Almighty Allah will ensure the safe return of his sister and her children from the kidnappers’ captivity.

Abidikugu, a philanthropist and lover of children, called on the Oyo state government and the federal government to collaborate and ensure the quick return of the victims.

He said the issue of the recent kidnapping should not be politicized, saying having young children in the thick forest during the rainy season is not only unhealthy but calamitous.

According to him, “As a parent, I can understand the agony of the parents of the abducted pupils and children. All hands must be on deck to ensure their safe return to their parents.

“It is sad that pupils of two, three years, and others, including their teachers, have been in the forest for more than two weeks.

“Governments must not only ensure their safe return but should brace up to avoid future disasters of this nature. Governor Seyi Makinde and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should treat the issue of the security of citizens as the most important duty.

“I also suggest the use of modern technology to curb this dreaded monster, kidnapping/ banditry across the nation. I offer my sympathy to the families of pupils and teachers in Orire local government and the family of the abducted principal and teachers who were also whisked away by the gunmen. 

“I equally sympathise with Chief Bayo Adelabu and the entire Adelabu family, praying that God will ensure the safe return of Mrs John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul”.