Oyo CAN, Police Intensify Efforts as JCI Ibadan Elite President, Ibukun Otesile, Kidnapped in Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Mrs Ibukun Otesile, the 2025 President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan Elite, sparking widespread concern and urgent calls for her immediate rescue.
Police Confirm Abduction, Launch Investigation
Journalists were informed that Mrs Otesile was kidnapped on Thursday evening right in front of her residence in the General Gas area of Akobo, Ibadan.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident, stating that the mother of two was taken at about 8 p.m.
According to him, “She was kidnapped on Thursday night. Investigation is ongoing.”
Akahi News gathered that Mrs Otesile is the daughter of Reverend Olalekan Babatunde, founder and General Overseer of Jesus Is King Ministries, Ibadan. The shocking news of her abduction spread rapidly across social media platforms on Friday, drawing prayers and concerns from faith leaders, associates, and community members.
CAN Confirms Distress Alert, Mobilises Faith Community
Speaking with journalists, Olamide Olanrewaju—Personal Assistant to Apostle Joshua Sola Akinyemiju, the outgoing Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State—said the association received the distress alert around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday.
Akahi News learnt that the alert was shared in a WhatsApp group containing several religious leaders, including the victim’s father.
Olanrewaju explained:
“We all have a WhatsApp group which her father is also a member of. So the CAN chairman posted it as a distress call, saying that the daughter of Reverend (Dr.) Lekan Babatunde had been kidnapped. Everyone in the group became worried and started saying, ‘Prayer, prayer, prayer.’”
He added that while prayers began immediately, it was also crucial to take swift action.
According to him, he tagged Rev Moses, the Chaplain of the Police Force Headquarters in Oyo State, on the same platform to ensure rapid escalation of the case.
How the Kidnapping Happened
From the information obtained by Akahi News, Mrs Otesile was abducted right at the gate of her residence at General Gas, Akobo. A distress alert later circulated by CAN stated that she was taken at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, 4 December.
The alert read in part:
“The daughter of our beloved Reverend Dr. Lekan Babatunde was kidnapped this night… Ibukun Otesile, the mother of two, was kidnapped in front of her gate at General Gas, Akobo.”
CAN Appeals for Urgent Intervention
In a strong appeal to Nigerian security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army Headquarters, and other relevant bodies to deploy every necessary resource to ensure Mrs Otesile’s safe and immediate release.
Religious leaders across Oyo State have continued to mobilise prayers and awareness, while security operatives intensify investigation efforts.
The abduction of Mrs Ibukun Otesile has sent shockwaves through Ibadan’s religious and civic communities, heightening calls for improved security and swift rescue operations. As investigations continue, families, religious groups, and concerned Nigerians are hoping for her safe return.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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