The sister of the immediate past Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin children have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday morning in the Elewura, Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
The Nigeria Police Command in the state, shortly after the incident, disclosed that it mobilised officers from its tactical unit to hunt down the abductors after receiving a report of the incident.
It added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Challenge Division, alongside other operational units, was deployed to the area where the victim’s vehicle was later recovered.
According to the police, the car recovery could support investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Confirming the abduction in a statement, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, identified the victims as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.
According to the statement, “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 family disclosed that the 43-year-old woman was abducted at 7:30 a.m while on school run in Ibadan metropolis with the abductors also forcefully taking away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.
Providing further background on the victim, the family explained that Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu and had worked in the financial sector before her retirement.
The statement read further, “Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.”
It added, “Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.”
The family disclosed that security agencies were immediately alerted after the incident and have commenced efforts to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators.
“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 said.
Expressing confidence in the security agencies, the family said: “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 family urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise ongoing rescue efforts.
It also called for prayers and support from Nigerians, while urging anyone with useful information that could assist investigators to make such information available to security agencies through appropriate channels.
“The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold,” the statement added.
The abduction heightens growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Oyo State. On Friday, May 15, 2026, over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped during a coordinated attack on three schools at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident triggered widespread outrage, and protests with teachers, civil society groups, and residents demanding stronger protection for schools and urgent rescue efforts.
