Sharafadeen Alli Denies Adelabu Sister, Twin Sons Kidnap Allegations

Senator Sharafadeen Alli

Sharafadeen Alli Denies Adelabu Sister, Twin Sons Kidnap Allegations

IBADAN, Nigeria – Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State, has strongly denied any role in the kidnapping of Mrs. Olaide Adegoke, the younger sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

Alli described social media reports linking him to the abduction as “false, malicious, baseless, irresponsible, defamatory, and politically motivated.” The denial was contained in a statement issued by his media office and shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Mrs. Olaide Adegoke was abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m. while driving her 12-year-old twin sons to school in Ibadan. Armed gunmen reportedly intercepted her vehicle in the Elewura area of Ibadan, forced her and the children out of the car, and took them hostage. The kidnappers, who operated in a 2008 model Corolla car without a number plate, shot sporadically to scare residents away before speeding off with the victims. The incident sent shockwaves across Oyo State and the nation, with security operatives immediately swinging into action.

The victims were rescued unharmed on Saturday, June 6, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. during a coordinated operation by the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Anthony Placid, the rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations that enabled investigators to track the kidnappers’ movements. Security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, which resulted in two suspected kidnappers being fatally wounded and neutralized. Two rifles were recovered from the scene. In a dramatic turn of events, one of the kidnappers reportedly fell from the roof of the house where the victims were being held during the rescue operation. Preliminary intelligence indicates that some suspects escaped with gunshot injuries, and operations are ongoing to track and arrest all involved.

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The Adelabu family expressed deepest gratitude and appreciation to Almighty God and to all Nigerians whose prayers, support, and encouragement culminated in the successful rescue. In a statement issued by the family’s Media Aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the family said: “We are delighted to announce that the victims have been rescued safely and are in good condition.” The family also extended appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo State for his support and cooperation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, the Oyo State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) , and all security agencies involved in the operation.

In his denial statement, Senator Alli’s media office said attempts to associate the lawmaker with the incident lacked credibility and were based on unverified allegations allegedly made by a suspect under investigation. The statement noted that it was “illogical” to link the senator to criminal allegations without any evidence. “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Alli has no connection whatsoever with the said criminal incident, the individuals mentioned, or any activity related to kidnapping or violence,” the statement read. The senator’s office further argued that efforts to link campaign materials or stickers to the crime were part of a “desperate agenda” by political detractors seeking to tarnish the senator’s reputation. It also pointed out that no security agency had established any link between Alli and the kidnapping, despite claims circulating online. “We note with concern that even the report itself admitted that no security agency has established any link between Senator Alli and the alleged crime. It is therefore disturbing that faceless propagandists would deliberately weaponise unconfirmed claims to mislead the public and heat up the polity,” the statement said.

The allegations emerged against the backdrop of recent political developments in Oyo State. Senator Alli defeated Adebayo Adelabu to secure the APC governorship ticket in the recently concluded primaries. However, there remains controversy, as Adelabu has insisted that the party’s governorship candidate is yet to emerge, stating that only the APC national headquarters can make such a declaration. This political rivalry has been cited by Alli’s camp as a possible motive behind what they describe as a smear campaign aimed at damaging the senator’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The senator condemned kidnapping and all forms of criminality, reiterating his support for measures aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property across Oyo State and Nigeria. The statement urged members of the public to disregard the reports and avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining ongoing investigations or creating unnecessary political tension. It also called on security agencies to investigate the source of the allegations and ensure that those responsible for disseminating false information and engaging in political blackmail are brought to justice. Senator Alli, according to the statement, remains focused on his legislative responsibilities and his commitment to serving the people of Oyo State.