Gunmen abduct Adelabu’s sister, twin sons in Ibadan

The sister of former Minister of Power and APC governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, has been abducted alongside her twin sons in Ibadan, the state capital.

The victims, identified as Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, and her 12-year-old sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped by armed men on Wednesday morning in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.

An eyewitness account indicated that the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. while the woman was taking her children to school when the attackers intercepted their vehicle and forcefully whisked them away to an unknown location.

Confirming the development, media aide to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said the family had formally notified security agencies, which have since commenced investigation and rescue operations.

According to him, the family remains hopeful that the victims will be safely rescued, adding that law enforcement authorities have been mobilised to track down the abductors.

“The family of Adebayo Adelabu wishes to confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister and her twin sons. Security agencies have been informed and are already working to ensure their safe return,” the statement read.

The statement further disclosed that Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu and previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before retiring voluntarily last year.

It added that she had recently relocated to Ibadan with her children while preparing to join her husband, who had earlier moved to the United States.

The family appealed for calm among the public, urging restraint in the spread of unverified information that could hinder ongoing security operations.

It also called on anyone with useful information to assist security agencies in their efforts to secure the release of the victims.

“We remain confident in the ability of security agencies to bring them back safely and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the family added.

The incident adds to a growing list of kidnapping cases in Oyo State in recent months.

In May 2026, over 40 teachers and students were abducted during an attack on a community in Oriire Local Government Area, raising alarm over the frequency of mass abductions in the state.

Similarly, in December 2025, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Wale Oriade, was kidnapped in Ibadan by armed men who stormed his office along Akala Expressway in a coordinated operation.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a vehicle before forcibly taking him away, an incident that further heightened concerns about urban insecurity in the state.

The Oyo State Police Command said it could not immediately confirm the latest incident, with its spokesperson stating that verification was still ongoing.

As of press time, security agencies had yet to release an official statement, while efforts to locate and rescue the victims were reportedly underway.