The younger sister of former Minister of Power and leading APC governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons, has been kidnapped by armed men in Ibadan.
The victims, identified as 43-year-old Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly abducted around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the family confirmed the incident and expressed deep concern over the development.
According to the statement, Mrs. John-Paul was on her way to drop her children at school when armed gunmen intercepted and forcibly took them away.
The statement noted that Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, recently retired after serving at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.
Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making arrangements to join her husband, who had earlier moved to the United States.
The family said security agencies were immediately alerted after the abduction and have since launched investigations and rescue efforts aimed at securing the victims’ safe release and apprehending those responsible.
“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the ability of security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement said.
The family appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could interfere with ongoing operations and urged anyone with useful information to report it through the appropriate channels.
The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in Oyo State. In May 2026, more than 40 teachers and students were reportedly abducted during an attack in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area.
Similarly, APC chieftain Wale Oriade was kidnapped in Ibadan in December 2025 after gunmen reportedly seized him from his office at PJ Square Shopping Complex along Akala Expressway and whisked him away in a vehicle.
When contacted over the latest incident, Oyo State Police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said he could not independently verify the report at the time but asked for more time to confirm the details.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to locate and rescue the abducted woman and her children.
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