By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The family of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has confirmed the abduction of his younger sister, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, describing the incident as distressing while urging calm and restraint as security agencies intensify rescue efforts.
The family, through its media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, disclosed on Wednesday, 3 June, 2026 that the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. in Ibadan, Oyo State, when Mrs. John-Paul was reportedly attacked by armed gunmen while driving the children to school.
According to the statement, the assailants forcefully intercepted the vehicle and whisked away the 43-year-old mother and her twin sons during the early morning operation.
Awogboro stated that Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, was immediately reported missing after the incident, prompting swift notification of security agencies.
He noted that she had recently retired voluntarily from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian before relocating to Ibadan with her children, while preparing to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, in the United States.
He added that security operatives have since launched investigations into the incident.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime,” the statement read.
The family, however, expressed deep distress over the development, noting that Adelabu and other relatives are devastated but remain hopeful that the victims will be safely rescued.
It urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information that could jeopardise ongoing security operations.
“The family respectfully appeals to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardize ongoing security operations,” Awogboro stated, while also calling on citizens with credible information to assist law enforcement agencies.
He further disclosed that Adelabu’s family is fully cooperating with security authorities and will continue to provide updates as investigations progress, even as efforts intensify to locate and rescue the abducted victims.
The Oyo State Police Command has also confirmed the incident, saying it had commenced a full-scale investigation.
Police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Commissioner of Police had directed tactical teams and the Divisional Police Officer of Challenge Division to the scene, where the victim’s vehicle was recovered.
He assured residents that all necessary resources had been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators, adding that investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction and bring those responsible to justice.
