Panic and concern gripped residents of Ibadan on Wednesday after armed gunmen abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons.
The victims, identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of June 3 while travelling to school in the Oyo State capital.
The family confirmed the incident in a statement issued by Chief Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, describing the abduction as a distressing development for the family.
According to the statement, Mrs. John-Paul, 43, was abducted at about 7:30 a.m. while driving her children to school when armed assailants intercepted them and forcibly took them away.
“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 said.
The family disclosed that Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children born to Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Before retiring voluntarily last year, she reportedly had a distinguished career working with both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.
Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making arrangements to reunite with her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States.
Providing further details of the incident, the family stated: “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 kidnapping adds to growing concerns over insecurity and rising incidents of abductions across different parts of the country, particularly attacks targeting commuters, schoolchildren and members of prominent families.
The family said security agencies were immediately notified after the incident and have since commenced 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,” the statement noted.
It added that rescue operations are ongoing, expressing confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.”
The statement further conveyed the emotional toll the incident has taken on the family, while appealing for public support and prayers.
“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,” it said.
