By Ayo Kehinde
Panic gripped citizens of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday, after gunmen abducted the younger sister of the immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons.
The victims were identified as Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday in the Challenge/Elewura area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
According to available information, Mrs John-Paul was taking her children to school when armed men waylaid her at gunpoint. She was reportedly forced to abandon her vehicle before the gunmen bundled her and her children into their own vehicle and sped away.
An eyewitness disclosed that the attackers fired sporadic gunshots to scare away residents and passers-by during the operation.
The witness said panic immediately spread across the area as residents and commuters scampered to safety amid the sound of gunfire.
Confirming the incident in a statement, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, said the family was devastated by the development.
“The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026”, the statement read.
Awogboro said Mrs John-Paul, aged 43, was abducted at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school.
“Mrs John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by 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”, he stated.
He further disclosed that all relevant security agencies had been contacted and had immediately commenced investigations into the matter.
“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”, he added.
The family further disclosed that Mrs John-Paul is the youngest among five children of Mrs Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu.
According to the statement, she previously worked at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.
Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making arrangements to eventually reunite with her husband, Mr John-Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States.
“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 asked the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from sharing unverified information that could jeopardise ongoing security operations.
Meanwhile, attempts to obtain independent confirmation from the Oyo State Police Command were still inconclusive as of the time of filing this report. Police Public Relations Officer of the command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said: “I cannot independently verify this for now.”
The latest incident has further heightened concerns over the growing wave of kidnappings and violent crimes in Oyo State.
The abduction comes barely 20 days after the reported kidnapping of 46 students and teachers in Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, further raising fears over worsening insecurity and renewed calls for strengthened security measures.
Adelabu recently resigned his appointment to contest the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state.
