In a distressing incident that has sent shockwaves through Ibadan, the 2025 President of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan Elite, Mrs. Ibukun Otesile, was forcibly taken from her residence on Thursday evening. The abduction occurred in the Akobo area of Oyo State, highlighting the persistent security challenges in the region.
Details of the Abduction
The kidnapping took place around 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 4, 2025, directly in front of her home at General Gas, Akobo. Otesile, who is a mother of two young children, is also the daughter of a prominent religious figure, Olalekan Babatunde, the founder and General Overseer of Jesus Is King Ministries in Ibadan. The news spread rapidly across various social media platforms, triggering an outpouring of concern and prayer from the community.
Confirmation of the event came from Olamide Olanrewaju, the Personal Assistant to Apostle Joshua Sola Akinyemiju, the outgoing chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Olanrewaju detailed how the alert was raised within a CAN WhatsApp group, which includes the victim's father. "The CAN Chairman posted it as a distress call," he stated, noting the immediate flood of prayers from members.
Response from Authorities and CAN
Demonstrating a call for action beyond prayers, Olanrewaju mentioned he promptly tagged Reverend Moses, the Chaplain of the Police Force Headquarters in Oyo State, on the same platform to ensure official security channels were activated. The Oyo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, has confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is actively ongoing.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has issued a fervent plea to the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force. They are urging security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe and immediate release of Mrs. Otesile. A statement from a concerned Ibadan resident echoed this sentiment, calling on the public to share any credible information with security authorities.
Community and Family in Anguish
While the police at the Eleyele Command are involved, no further details about the kidnappers or any potential demands have been released to the public as of Friday. The family, supported by the wider religious community and concerned citizens, now faces an agonizing wait. This event has not only traumatized a family but also struck at the heart of the professional and religious circles in Ibadan, given Mrs. Otesile's leadership role in JCI and her family's stature.
The abduction underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures in residential areas, even within major state capitals like Ibadan. As the search continues, the collective hope is for her swift and unharmed return to her family.
