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The camp of former Minister of Power and Oyo State APC governorship aspirant, Bayo Adelabu, has dismissed allegations linking his personal assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the abduction of Adelabu’s younger sister and her twin sons, describing the claims as false, malicious and politically motivated.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, warned those circulating the allegations to desist immediately or face legal action.
The statement followed the recent kidnapping of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, Adelabu’s younger sister, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted by gunmen in Ibadan before being rescued through police operations that led to the arrest of suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Awogboro maintained that Sangogade was never mentioned by the police as a suspect and challenged those promoting the allegations to produce evidence supporting their claims.
“It has come to our notice that some individuals, who are enemies of progress and of the state, are peddling rumours that the Personal Assistant to Adelabu, Sangogade, orchestrated the kidnapping of Adelabu’s sister and nephews in Ibadan,” the statement said.
“The recent press statement and interview by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, concerning the kidnapping incident, exonerated Sangogade from the allegation as his name was never mentioned in the police briefing as part of the kidnapping syndicate.”
Awogboro accused those behind the allegations of attempting to score political points and damage the reputation of Adelabu’s aide.
He further argued that the same individuals had previously spread what he described as false claims that Sangogade was being positioned to secure the APC ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, a contest eventually won by another party candidate.
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“Their lies and cooked-up stories have been exposed by the police account of the incident,” he said.
Describing Sangogade as a man of integrity with a strong public record, Awogboro insisted there was no basis for linking him to the crime.
“We therefore reject the claim in totality because we know he does not know or have a hand in the incident as being speculated.
“Any further attempt to tarnish Sangogade’s image and reputation will be rejected vehemently, and the camp will ensure that whoever is found guilty is brought to justice,” he added.
The kidnapping case drew public attention after armed men reportedly intercepted the victims’ vehicle in the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area and abducted them.
The Oyo State Police Command has since arrested four suspects in connection with the incident and recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle allegedly used during the operation and other items believed to be linked to the syndicate.
The development has intensified calls for caution against the spread of unverified allegations as investigations into the kidnapping continue.
