Gunmen have struck again in Ibadan, Oyo State capital city, with the kidnapping of the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, in the Elewura area of Challenge, on Wednesday.
Adelabu’s sister, identified as Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, was abducted alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul.
The victims were waylaid while on her way to drop her children in school at about 7:30 a.m.
An eyewitness account revealed that the gunmen were shooting sporadically to scare residents and passers-by who might attempt to block their operation.
“Our attention was drawn to the scene by the sound of gunfire that rent the atmosphere.
“Business and other related activities in the area were temporarily put on hold as people scampered for safety.
“We later discovered that a mother of two in her late 40s, alongside her children, had been whisked away to an unknown destination by the suspected gunmen.
“The woman was forced out of her Sonata-brand Kia vehicle and driven away alongside her children in a car brought by the kidnappers,” an eyewitness told our correspondent.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the media aide to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said John-Paul, a sister of the former Power Minister had been abducted.
The statement read: “The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, 3 June 2026.”
“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.”
“Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodial Services.”
“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.”
“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.
“Chief 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 respectfully appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations. They also solicited prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.
“They further urged anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.”
