Gunmen have abducted Olaide John-Paul, the younger sister of Adebayo Adelabu, former minister of power, alongside her twin sons, in Ibadan, Oyo state.
In a statement, Femi Awogboro, one of Adelabu’s media aides, confirmed that John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were kidnapped by armed men on Wednesday morning.
According to the statement, the 43-year-old was abducted at about 7:30am while on her way to drop the 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,” the statement reads.
Awogboro described John-Paul as the youngest of Olufunmilayo Adelabu’s five children.
He said she had worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.
“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America,” he added.
Awogboro said security and law enforcement agencies were immediately alerted after the incident and had commenced investigations.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement added.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.”
The spokesperson said Adelabu and members of the family are deeply distressed by the development but remain hopeful that security agencies would secure the victims’ safe release.
Awogboro appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.
“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,” he said.
He also urged anyone with useful information to assist security agencies by reporting same through appropriate channels, adding that the family would continue to cooperate with authorities and provide updates as events unfold.
Police commence probe
The Oyo state police command, in a statement signed by Ayanlade Olayinka, its spokesperson, said it has commenced an investigation of the incident.
“Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered and commence intensive investigations,” 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.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Command urges residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative with the Police by providing any useful information that may assist ongoing investigations.”
Governorship bid
Adelabu resigned as power minister — in line with a presidential directive — on April 22 to pursue his 2027 governorship bid in Oyo state.
The ex-minister contested the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in Oyo on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party respectively.
On Monday, Adelabu pleaded with his supporters not to leave the APC, in the wake of the party’s gubernatorial primary poll in Oyo.
School kidnapping
The recent abduction follows a recent kidnapping incident in Oyo that has sparked national outrage.
On May 15, about 39 students and seven teachers were abducted across three schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo state.
During the attack, gunmen killed an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist.
Days later, Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers, was beheaded by the kidnappers.
In separate videos posted on Instagram, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, who is one of the abductees, said the kidnappers had threatened to kill another victim, urging authorities to urgently negotiate their release.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, visited families of the victims on Saturday, while a federal government delegation led by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, visited Ogbomoso on Sunday.
