Fresh fears over rising insecurity in Oyo State emerged on Wednesday after gunmen abducted the younger sister of the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year-old twin sons in Ibadan, the state capital.
Key Highlight:
- Gunmen abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of Adebayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
- The victims were reportedly kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.
- A video from the scene showed an abandoned red Toyota Camry with its doors open, indicating a sudden and forceful abduction.
- The Adelabu family confirmed the incident and described it as tragic, while appealing to the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
- Security agencies have launched investigations and rescue operations, with efforts ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.
The victims, identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, 43, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. while she was taking the children to school.
Sources familiar with the incident said the armed attackers intercepted the family during their morning journey and whisked them away to an unknown destination, sparking panic among residents and sympathizers in the area.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and fear shortly after the abduction.
A video circulating online showed a red Toyota Camry abandoned on a quiet street with its doors left open, suggesting a sudden and forceful attack.
Residents were seen gathering around the vehicle while discussing the shocking development.
The family of Adelabu later confirmed the incident in an official statement signed by his media aide, Femi Awogboro, describing the abduction as tragic and deeply disturbing.
“The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026,” the statement said.
According to the family, the victims were seized by heavily armed men while travelling to school in Ibadan.
“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan.
“The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident,” the statement added.
The family disclosed that Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu.
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Until her voluntary retirement in 2025, she worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and later with First Bank Pension Custodian.
Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children, while making plans to join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States.
The family said security agencies were immediately notified after the incident and had already launched efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime,” the statement noted.
Despite the emotional toll of the incident, the family expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
“Chief Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement added.
The family also appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise ongoing rescue operations and urged anyone with useful intelligence to report it through the appropriate channels.
The latest abduction comes amid growing concerns over a resurgence of kidnapping and violent attacks across parts of Oyo State and neighbouring regions.
The incident is expected to intensify calls for stronger security measures as residents continue to demand greater protection from criminal elements.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not announced any arrests, while efforts to locate and rescue the victims were said to be ongoing.
