The Oyo State police command has confirmed the abduction of the 2025 President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan Elite, Mrs. Ibukun Otesile, by gunmen. The mother of two is the daughter of the founder and General Overseer of Jesus Is King Ministries, Ibadan, Reverend Olalekan Babatunde. She was abducted in front of her residence at the General Gas area of Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday night.
Confirming the development, the police spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, a Chief Superintendent, said, “Investigation is ongoing Sir.” News of her abduction has spread across social media since the incident occurred.
The Personal Assistant to Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, outgoing Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, Olamide Olanrewaju, said the association received a distress alert at about 8:45 pm on Thursday. “We all have a WhatsApp group, which her father is also a member of. The CAN Chairman posted it as a distress call, saying the daughter of Reverend (Dr.) Lekan Babatunde had been kidnapped,” he said.
Olanrewaju noted that while group members immediately resorted to prayers, he emphasized the need for prompt action and tagged key security contacts including Rev. Moses, Chaplain of the Police Force Headquarters in Oyo State, before sharing the alert widely. “I learned she was kidnapped right at the gate of her house at General Gas. Only God knows what she was doing there, where she went, or who she was with,” he added.
The alert issued by CAN reads: “The daughter of our beloved Reverend Dr. Lekan Babatunde was kidnapped this night, Thursday, December 4, around 8:00 p.m. Ibukun Otesile, a mother of two, was kidnapped in front of her gate at General Gas, Akobo.”
CAN appealed to security agencies for urgent intervention, calling on the Nigerian Army Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Force to deploy all necessary resources to secure Otesile’s immediate release. As of the time of this report, no details have emerged regarding the identity of the abductors or any ransom demands.
The abduction of Ibukun Otesile has sent shockwaves across Ibadan and Oyo State at large, with many expressing concern for her safety and security. The incident has also highlighted the need for increased security measures to protect citizens, especially in residential areas.
The police command has assured the public that investigation into the abduction is ongoing, and efforts are being made to rescue Otesile. The community is urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to ensure her safe release.
