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Armed gunmen on Wednesday abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State, in a brazen daylight operation that has renewed concerns over rising kidnapping incidents in parts of the state.
The victims were identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, 43, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul. According to accounts provided by the family and corroborated by police authorities, the abduction occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.
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How the Abduction Occurred
Family sources disclosed that the attackers intercepted Mrs. John-Paul’s vehicle during the school run and forcibly whisked her and the children away to an unknown destination. Witness accounts reported that the gunmen operated in broad daylight, creating panic among residents and commuters in the area. Some reports indicated that the assailants used a separate vehicle to execute the operation before fleeing the scene.
An eyewitness quoted by media reports said the attackers ambushed the victims’ vehicle and rapidly escaped before security operatives could respond. In some accounts, residents reported hearing gunshots allegedly fired by the kidnappers to scare away bystanders.
Family Confirms Incident
The Adelabu family formally confirmed the kidnapping through a statement issued by Chief Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro.
The statement described the incident as traumatic and appealed for calm while security agencies continue rescue efforts. It identified Mrs. John-Paul as the youngest of five children of the late Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu.
The family further revealed that Mrs. John-Paul had voluntarily retired from service after working with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian. She had recently relocated to Ibadan with her children and was reportedly preparing to reunite with her husband, who resides in the United States.
In its appeal, the family urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise ongoing rescue operations and encouraged anyone with useful intelligence to cooperate with security agencies.
Police Launch Rescue Operation
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the incident and announced the commencement of an intensive investigation.
Police spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade stated that the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Challenge Division, alongside tactical units, to mobilise to the scene following receipt of the distress report.
According to the police, the victims’ vehicle has already been recovered, while search-and-rescue operations are ongoing. Authorities said all available resources have been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of those responsible for the crime.
The command also appealed to residents to provide credible information that could assist investigators and rescue teams.
As of the latest official updates, neither the police nor the family had publicly disclosed any ransom demand from the abductors.
Political Reactions
The incident has generated strong reactions from the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party condemned the abduction and described it as evidence of growing insecurity within the state. The APC called on the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to strengthen collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to combat kidnapping and violent crime.
The party noted that the kidnapping occurred amid public concern over other unresolved abduction cases involving schoolchildren, teachers, and staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in various parts of Oyo State.
Fact-Check: Were the Abductors “Terrorists”?
While the kidnappers have been described in multiple reports as armed gunmen or kidnappers, there is currently no official evidence from the police or other security agencies identifying them as terrorists. The Oyo State Police Command has not attributed the abduction to any terrorist organisation, insurgent group, or designated terrorist network.
Therefore, describing the perpetrators as “terrorists” at this stage would be unverified and potentially inaccurate. The most factually supported description based on available evidence is “armed gunmen” or “suspected kidnappers.”
Growing Security Concerns
The kidnapping of a close relative of a high-profile political figure has once again highlighted the broader security challenges confronting parts of Nigeria, including kidnapping-for-ransom operations that continue to affect both prominent individuals and ordinary citizens.
Security analysts note that the incident underscores the need for enhanced intelligence gathering, improved community policing, and stronger coordination among federal, state, and local security structures to prevent similar attacks. While Oyo State security agencies have recently recorded successes against kidnapping syndicates, the latest abduction demonstrates that criminal networks remain active and capable of striking vulnerable targets.
As rescue efforts continue, residents across Ibadan and Oyo State remain anxious for the safe return of Mrs. John-Paul and her children, while authorities intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
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