I Wept for Kidnapped Oriire Pupils Before My Daughter Was Abducted— Adelabu’s Mother

I Wept for Kidnapped Oriire Pupils Before My Daughter Was Abducted— Adelabu’s Mother

Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adelabu, mother of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has shared an emotional account of how she wept over the plight of abducted schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, only for her own daughter and twin grandsons to be kidnapped the following day.

The elderly woman made the revelation in a viral video circulated on social media following the safe rescue of her daughter, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her 12-year-old twin sons.

The victims were abducted by armed gunmen in Ibadan on June 3, 2026, while Mrs. Adegoke was reportedly taking her children to school. Their abduction sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and beyond, with family members, religious groups and well-wishers calling for their immediate release.

Reliving the painful experience, Mrs. Adelabu said she had been deeply disturbed by reports of the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area, which occurred shortly before her family’s ordeal.

According to her, she was moved to tears after watching videos and reports about the kidnapped pupils and teachers, never imagining that a similar tragedy would soon affect her own family.

“A day before my children’s incident, I wept bitterly when I saw those children on the phone, without knowing it would happen to me too the following day,” she said.

Speaking with visible relief after the rescue operation, Mrs. Adelabu expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of her daughter and grandsons.

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“Olaide, Peter’s mother, is my daughter, my last born. I am very happy, very happy. I give thanks to God for the mercy bestowed upon me.

“That I cried and saw helpers, and saw that my children were rescued unhurt; that my children came home in peace, and I can see all three of them. I thank all those involved in ensuring they were released,” she added.

The Adelabu family kidnapping attracted national attention, with security agencies launching an intensive search operation to locate the victims and apprehend the abductors.

After several days in captivity, the victims regained their freedom on Saturday night following an intelligence-led operation by security operatives. Authorities disclosed that the rescue mission led to the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers, while efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal gang.

Despite celebrating the safe return of her loved ones, Mrs. Adelabu said her thoughts remain with the Oriire abducted pupils and teachers who are still being held captive.

She offered prayers for their safe return and urged Nigerians not to forget families whose relatives remain in the hands of kidnappers.

“May God release them from captivity. I prayed for them too, just as I prayed for my children over the past five days. The God who freed my children from bondage will free others too. None of them will die there. They will all come home safely,” she said.

She also called for divine intervention to address Nigeria’s growing insecurity and rising cases of kidnapping in Nigeria.

“God will help stop such occurrences in Nigeria. God will help the government and Nigeria,” she prayed.

The rescue of Mrs. Adegoke and her children comes amid increasing concerns over the spread of kidnapping and insecurity in Oyo State and other parts of the country. Security experts have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing efforts to curb the activities of criminal gangs targeting schools, travellers and residents.

As celebrations continue within the Adelabu family, attention remains focused on the fate of other victims still in captivity, particularly the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire, whose families continue to await their safe return.

I Wept for Kidnapped Oriire Pupils Before My Daughter Was Abducted— Adelabu’s Mother