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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 accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday in 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 ambushed her at gunpoint. She was reportedly forced to abandon her vehicle before the gunmen loaded her and her children into their vehicle and sped away.
An eyewitness revealed that the attackers fired sporadic gunshots to scare residents and passers-by during the operation.
The witness said panic immediately spread across the area as residents and commuters ran for 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 Energy and leading governorship aspirant of the APC in Oyo State, wish to formally confirm the unfortunate abduction of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, together with her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026,” the statement read.
Awogboro said Ms John-Paul, 43, was abducted around 7.30am as she was on her way to take her children to school.
“Mrs John-Paul, 43, was reportedly abducted by armed men at around 7.30am while she was on her way to take her children to school in Ibadan. The kidnappers also forcibly took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident,” he said.
He further revealed that all relevant security agencies had been contacted and had immediately started 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 officers have swung into action and preliminary investigations have begun in earnest.
“Efforts are currently underway to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of those responsible for this heinous crime,” he added.
The family further revealed that Mrs John-Paul is the youngest of Mrs Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu’s five children.
According to the statement, he previously worked at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.
After her retirement, she moved to Ibadan with her children while making arrangements to eventually reunite with her husband, Mr. John-Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States.
“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply saddened by this tragic development, but remain confident and confident in the ability of the security agencies to ensure 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 jeopardize ongoing security operations.
Meanwhile, attempts to get independent confirmation from the Oyo State Police Command were still inconclusive at the time of filing this report. The command’s public relations officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said: “I cannot independently verify this for now.”
The latest incident has further heightened concerns over the growing spate of kidnappings and violent crimes in Oyo State.
The abduction comes just 20 days after the reported abduction of 46 students and teachers Ahoro-Esiele community inside Oriire The local government area of the state, further increasing fears of worsening insecurity and renewed calls for strengthening security measures.
Adelabu recently resigned to contest the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
