Gunmen have abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the 43-year-old younger sister of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The kidnapping occurred on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, at approximately 7:30 am in the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan South-West Local Government Area. The victims were intercepted by armed gunmen whilst on their way to drop the children at school.
Femi Awogboro, one of Adelabu’s media aides, confirmed the incident in a statement released Wednesday morning.
“Adelabu’s younger sister, together with her twin sons (Peter and Paul), were kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan,” Awogboro said. “The family members were going out from Elewura to link the expressway when they were attacked and whisked away by the unknown kidnappers.”
Profile of the victims
Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian. She relocated to Ibadan with her children after retiring and was making arrangements to join her husband, John Paul, who had relocated earlier to the United States.
The 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were in the vehicle with their mother at the time of the abduction.
Police investigation underway
The Oyo State Police Command has commenced investigations into the kidnapping. In a statement signed by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, police spokesperson, the command said it immediately deployed the Divisional Police Officer at Challenge Division along with other tactical teams to the scene.
“The victim’s vehicle was recovered from the scene and intensive investigations have commenced,” the statement reads. “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.”
The police appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding whilst providing any useful information that could assist investigations.
Family’s appeal for calm
The Adelabu family expressed deep distress over the kidnapping but remained hopeful that security agencies would secure the victims’ safe release. The family appealed to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that could jeopardise ongoing rescue operations.
“The family respectfully appeals to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations,” Awogboro said. “The family solicits prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.”
The family also urged anyone with useful information to report to security agencies through appropriate channels, adding that they would continue cooperating with authorities and provide updates as events unfold.
Political context
The kidnapping of Adelabu’s sister comes amid heightened tension in Oyo State politics. Adelabu, the former Minister of Power under President Bola Tinubu, resigned from the cabinet on 22 April 2026 to pursue his governorship ambitions. He contested the APC gubernatorial primary in Oyo State but reportedly lost to Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
Adelabu has contested the governorship seat twice before, running on the APC platform in 2019 and the Accord Party in 2023. He remains a leading figure in Oyo State politics and the APC.
Escalating security crisis in Oyo
The kidnapping represents another major security incident in Oyo State. It comes barely three weeks after the abduction of 46 pupils, students and teachers from three schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May 2026. Those victims remain in captivity, with one teacher, Michael Oyedokun, beheaded by captors.
The successive kidnappings have sparked significant concern about deteriorating security in the state. The Nigeria Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike in response to the Oriire abductions, demanding government action on school safety.
As of the time of this report, the whereabouts of Mrs. John-Paul and her twin sons remain unknown. Security agencies have appealed for public cooperation in the rescue effort.
