By Desire Emmanuel
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Wednesday morning abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu and her two sons who are a set of twins.
The gunmen abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday at the Elewura, Challenge area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school. They also took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident.
The Adelabu family confirmed the abduction in a statement on Wednesday, saying security agencies had swung into action regarding the incident.
The family said: “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.
“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 served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.
“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.
“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.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.
“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.
“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.
“We further urge anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.
“The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold.”
