How Intelligence Tracking Helped Us Rescue Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons — Police

The Oyo State Police Command has provided fresh details on the dramatic rescue of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, following an intelligence-led operation that dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate in Ibadan.

The victims, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, were abducted in the early hours of June 3, 2026, at the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area while she was taking the children to school.

Their abduction sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and beyond, especially due to Mrs. John-Paul’s relationship with Adelabu, a prominent political figure and former governorship candidate in the state.

However, after days of intensive surveillance, intelligence gathering and technical tracking, operatives of the Oyo State Police Command successfully traced the kidnappers to a secluded hideout in the Ayegun area of Oluyole Local Government Area, where the victims were being held.

Speaking during an inspection of the scene, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, said the breakthrough was achieved through a combination of technical intelligence and coordinated field operations.

According to him, security operatives immediately launched investigations after receiving reports of the abduction and were able to track the suspects through intelligence resources.

“After the incident on June 3, we had technical intelligence and based on that, we made a follow-up, which resulted in this operation,” the police commissioner said.

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He explained that the victims were secretly moved from the city to a remote three-bedroom bungalow allegedly used by the kidnappers as a detention centre to avoid detection. The commissioner noted that the location was carefully chosen by the suspects because of its relative isolation, making it difficult for outsiders to notice the presence of the captives.

The rescue operation reached its climax on Saturday night when police operatives stormed the hideout in a carefully planned raid. During the operation, a fierce exchange of gunfire broke out between security personnel and members of the kidnapping gang.

Police said two suspected kidnappers were killed during the gun battle, while four others were arrested at the scene. Several gang members reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds and are currently being tracked by security agencies.

The operation also led to the recovery of weapons and other incriminating items believed to have been used by the suspects during their criminal activities. Among the items recovered was a pump-action shotgun and other materials linked to the gang.

Security sources said the successful raid was carried out after days of monitoring the suspects’ movements and communications, enabling operatives to pinpoint the exact location of the victims.

The police confirmed that Mrs. John-Paul and her children were rescued alive and safely reunited with family members after spending several days in captivity. Authorities said the operation was executed with extreme caution to ensure that the victims were not harmed during the confrontation with the kidnappers.

The rescue has been widely praised by residents and stakeholders, who commended security operatives for acting swiftly and professionally.

While addressing journalists at the hideout, CP Abimbola expressed concern that suspicious activities around the property allegedly went unreported despite being located within a residential environment. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that some residents had noticed unusual movements around the building but failed to notify security agencies.

He stressed that timely information from members of the public could have helped security operatives uncover the criminal hideout much earlier. The police commissioner therefore urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within their communities.

“If you see something, say something,” he said, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in the fight against crime.

The Oyo State Police Command said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the kidnapping operation and arrest all fleeing suspects. The command is also probing whether the abduction had any political undertones due to Adelabu’s public profile and political involvement in Oyo State.

However, the commissioner cautioned against speculation, noting that investigators were still examining all possible motives behind the crime. He also dismissed claims that any external group participated in the rescue operation, maintaining that the mission was executed by security operatives based on intelligence gathered during the investigation.

As the manhunt for the remaining suspects continues, authorities have assured residents that every effort is being made to bring all those involved to justice and strengthen security across the state.

How Intelligence Tracking Helped Us Rescue Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons — Police

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.

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Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

IBADAN, Nigeria – A midnight fire has gutted at least 20 shops at the NIPOST Shopping Complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying goods estimated to be worth over ₦100 million. The tragic incident has left traders counting their losses and raised serious concerns about safety in one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial districts.

The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday after a Lexus sedan, driven by a suspected drunk driver, crashed into a shop along the Dugbe–Iyaganku axis. According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was traveling from the Queen’s Cinema area towards Iyaganku when the driver allegedly lost control due to excessive speed and suspected alcohol consumption.

The car reportedly rammed into a giant billboard in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station, somersaulted several times, and split into two parts. The rear section of the vehicle, which contained a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tank and back tyres, rolled into the nearby NIPOST Shopping Complex and exploded on impact, igniting a massive fire that rapidly spread to adjoining shops.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed receiving a distress call at exactly 11:37 p.m. on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent Adedeji. Personnel from both the Oyo State Fire Services Agency and the Federal Fire Service worked together to extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the General Post Office and other adjoining commercial buildings in the area.

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Eyewitnesses said the blaze escalated rapidly due to the nature of goods stored in the affected shops, which included stationery materials, computer sets, photocopiers, clothing items, and other valuable goods. The highly combustible nature of some of these items made it difficult for early intervention efforts to contain the flames before significant damage was done.

Despite the severity of the accident and the ensuing fire, no casualties were recorded, and the two occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped without injuries. Sources claimed the occupants were suspected internet fraudsters heading to a nightclub on the Ring Road axis at the time of the incident.

The billboard destroyed in the crash reportedly bore campaign messages of Hon. Adedeji Dhokrullahi Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) , and Hon. Adebukola Ajaja of the Accord Party, both aspirants for the Oyo South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

When journalists visited the scene at about 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, security personnel and firefighters were still working to completely extinguish the flames and secure the affected area. One of the affected traders, Mr. Kingsley Chioma, lamented the losses suffered by shop owners and disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iyaganku Police Station had assured victims that efforts were underway to arrest the driver responsible for the incident.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Iyaganku Divisional Headquarters, for providing adequate security throughout the operation and confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident.

The tragedy has left shop owners and residents in shock, with many describing the destruction as a devastating blow to commercial activities in the busy Dugbe business district, one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial hubs. Authorities are expected to carry out a full assessment of the incident to determine the exact extent of damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and subsequent fire.

Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan