By Gideon Maxwell
June 3, 2026
The family of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has confirmed the kidnapping of his younger sister, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John Paul, and her 12 year old twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The victims were abducted by armed men at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday while Mrs John Paul was taking her children to school in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area.
The gunmen also forcefully took away the twin boys, identified as Peter and Paul.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued by his media aide, Femi Awogboro, the family said the abduction occurred in the early hours of June 3, describing the development as tragic and distressing.
According to the statement, Mrs John Paul, 43, is the youngest of five children of Mrs Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu.
She previously worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year and relocating to Ibadan with her children.
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The family disclosed that security and law enforcement agencies were immediately alerted after the incident and that rescue efforts had commenced.
“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.
The family added that Adelabu and his relatives remain deeply troubled by the incident but expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
They also appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing operations and urged anyone with useful information to contact the appropriate authorities.
The abduction has heightened concerns over insecurity in Oyo State, coming amid a series of high profile kidnapping incidents recorded in recent months.
