Police probe abduction of ex-minister’s sister, children in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday disclosed that it had commenced an investigation into the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress 2027 gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children, who were kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.

The command, in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, assured members of the public that all necessary resources had been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the suspects.

One of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, had earlier said in a statement that, “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading gubernatorial aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian,” Awogboro said.

However, a statement released by the police read, “Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered and commence intensive investigations.

“The Command wishes to assure members of the public that all necessary resources have been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this criminal act.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The police, therefore, urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative by providing any useful information that may assist ongoing investigations.

The PUNCH reports that the incident occurred weeks after over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

It will also be recalled that a chieftain of the APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December 2025.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 p.m. at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.

“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness said.