By Gideon Maxwell
June 6, 2026
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12 year old twin sons, Peter and Paul, bringing an end to a tense three-day abduction that drew widespread concern across Oyo State.
The victims were rescued on Saturday evening during a coordinated security operation that culminated in a fierce exchange of gunfire between police operatives and the kidnappers.
Security sources disclosed that the rescue operation took place at about 7.30 pm after intelligence gathering and sustained tracking led operatives to the criminals’ hideout. During the confrontation, at least two suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while several others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Two firearms were also recovered from the suspects during the operation.
ALSO READ: Court sentences 4 to death over 2022 Owo church attack in landmark terrorism verdict
Mrs John Paul and her children were rescued alive, ending days of anxiety for their family and residents following their abduction on Wednesday morning.
The victims were kidnapped at about 7.30 am on June 3 while Mrs John Paul was driving her twin sons to school in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State. Armed men intercepted the vehicle and whisked away the mother and her children, leaving behind a damaged car that attracted scores of shocked residents.
The incident immediately triggered a large scale security response, with police tactical teams launching investigations and intelligence driven operations aimed at locating the victims and dismantling the kidnapping network.
Before the rescue, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, had identified the victim as the youngest of five children in the Adelabu family. He disclosed that the 43 year old had previously worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring and relocating to Ibadan with her children while preparing to reunite with her husband in the United States.
The family had appealed for calm and urged the public to avoid circulating unverified information that could compromise ongoing security operations.
Saturday’s successful operation has now brought relief to the family and supporters, although security agencies have intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.
The development comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over kidnapping and violent crime in parts of the country, with security experts urging sustained intelligence led policing and stronger inter agency collaboration to dismantle organised criminal networks.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations while expanding the manhunt for the escaped suspects, who are believed to have fled the scene with gunshot injuries.
Police have yet to announce whether any arrests have been made beyond the suspects neutralised during the operation, but security sources insist efforts are ongoing to ensure every member of the syndicate is brought to justice.
