The Nigeria Police Force has successfully rescued Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, three days after they were abducted in Ibadan, Oyo State. Two suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the rescue operation.
The victims were rescued alive during a late-night operation conducted at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026. According to police sources, two suspected kidnappers were killed in a gun battle with operatives involved in the rescue mission. Two firearms were also recovered from the suspects. Security sources disclosed that sustained intelligence tracking and tactical pressure forced the kidnappers into a confrontation with operatives, leading to the successful rescue of the victims. Security personnel have continued search operations in surrounding areas to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate. Some of the fleeing suspects are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Mrs John-Paul and her twin sons were kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, while she was taking the children to school in the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan. An eyewitness account described how the attackers intercepted the victims’ vehicle, a wine-coloured Hyundai Sonata, and forcefully whisked them away to an unknown destination. The witness stated that the gunmen arrived in a silver Toyota Camry occupied by two men. One of the attackers, who was armed, smashed the driver’s side window before taking away the victims. “There was a coaster bus that was passing around the time, and they (gunmen) passed it, and the next was the attack on the victims’ car. The woman locked the door, but they broke the glass, took them, and drove towards Molete express,” the eyewitness recounted.
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Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twins
Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, is the youngest of the five children of Mrs Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. She reportedly retired voluntarily from First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025 before relocating to Ibadan with her children. The family was preparing to join Mrs John-Paul’s husband, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.
Confirming the incident shortly after the abduction, the Oyo State Police Command spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered and commence intensive investigations. “The command wishes to assure members of the public that all necessary resources have been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this criminal act,” Ayanlade had stated.
Earlier, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the abduction in a statement issued on behalf of the family. “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul,” the statement read. “We are deeply distressed by this unfortunate incident but remain hopeful that the victims will be rescued safely. We appeal to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and support ongoing efforts with prayers,” the family’s statement added.
The abduction sparked widespread condemnation and concerns over security in Oyo State. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State demanded the immediate rescue of the victims and called for a review of the state’s security architecture. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party urged Governor Seyi Makinde to work with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to address the rising wave of insecurity in the state, noting that the abduction occurred amid unresolved kidnapping cases involving schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the incident, describing it as further evidence of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges. He stressed that kidnapping has become a national crisis affecting citizens regardless of political affiliation or social status and called for a comprehensive intelligence-driven strategy to dismantle criminal networks. Governor Seyi Makinde visited Adelabu on Friday, assuring him that the government was working hard to secure the victims’ release.
The incident has renewed concerns over the security situation in Oyo State. The state has witnessed a series of high-profile kidnappings in recent months, including the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in the Idi-Ayunre area. The rescue operation, which ended with the successful release of all three victims and the neutralisation of two suspects, has been hailed as a significant achievement for the Nigeria Police Force. Further details about the operation are expected as investigations continue.