Gunmen Kidnap Chief Adelabu’s Sister, Twin Sons In Ibadan

Ibadan, Oyo State — Armed gunmen on Wednesday morning abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

Afrika Eyes gathered that the incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on June 3, 2026, while Mrs. John-Paul, 43, was on her routine school run to drop her children off.

Eyewitness accounts and preliminary family confirmation indicate that the assailants struck swiftly, intercepted the vehicle, and forcefully whisked away the victims before fleeing the scene.

A video obtained by Afrika Eyes shows a red Toyota Camry parked along a quiet street with its doors left ajar, suggesting a sudden and violent disruption.

In the footage, concerned residents and sympathisers were seen gathering around the vehicle in shock and confusion in the aftermath of the incident.

The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu later confirmed the kidnapping in a formal statement signed by Comrade Femi Awogboro, Media Aide to the former minister.

According to the statement, the family wrote:“The family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.”

The statement further detailed that Mrs. John-Paul was abducted at about 7:30 a.m. while transporting her children to school in Ibadan, adding that the gunmen also took away the 12-year-old twins who were with her at the time.

The family disclosed that Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had built a career spanning financial institutions, where she served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.

Following her retirement, she reportedly relocated to Ibadan with her children while preparing to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States of America.

The statement confirmed that immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were contacted without delay. It added that security operatives have since commenced preliminary investigations and have swung into action to secure the release of the victims.

“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 family described the incident as deeply distressing but expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to rescue the victims alive and apprehend the perpetrators.

“Chief Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” he added.

The family also made a strong appeal to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could jeopardize 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. We also solicit prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.”

The statement further urged members of the public who may have any useful information that could aid the investigation to promptly report such through appropriate security channels.

“We further urge anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels,” it said.