By Adeola Badru, Ibadan
IBADAN — The family of former Minister of Power and prominent 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, in Ibadan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the family’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the victims were said to have been kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. while Mrs. John-Paul was on her way to drop her children at school.
The statement described the incident as deeply distressing, noting that armed men forcefully whisked away the mother and her children during the attack.
“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the family stated.
Mrs. John-Paul, 43, is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. She previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.
She had since relocated to Ibadan with her children while preparing to join her husband, who had earlier moved to the United States.
The family expressed confidence that security agencies would ensure the safe rescue of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice, while appealing to the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could hinder ongoing rescue efforts.
“We respectfully appeal to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident and said tactical teams had been deployed to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the Commissioner of Police immediately ordered the deployment of operatives to the scene, where the victim’s vehicle was recovered.
He assured residents that all necessary measures were underway to secure the safe release of the victims and ensure the arrest of the attackers, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.
