Gunmen Kidnap Ex-Minister Adelabu’s Sister, Children In Ibadan
A cloud of tension has settled over Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the abduction of the younger sister of the immediate past Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons. The victims were seized by armed men in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in a brazen attack that has once again thrown the spotlight on the escalating security challenges in the region.
The incident occurred in the Elewura area of Challenge, a bustling neighborhood in the Ibadan South West Local Government Area. According to a detailed statement released by the Adelabu family, the victims were identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, and her 12-year-old twins, Peter and Paul. The abduction took place around 7:30 in the morning while Mrs. John-Paul was on a routine trip to take her children to school. Witnesses described a scene of sudden chaos as unknown gunmen intercepted the family, whisking them away to an unknown destination.
Confirming the distressing development, Femi Awogboro, a media aide to the former minister, said the family members were attacked while trying to link up with the expressway from their residence. The assailants are said to have struck with speed and precision, leaving behind a vehicle belonging to the victims with its doors wide open, a grim testament to the violence of the seizure.
The Adelabu family has since formally confirmed the kidnapping, expressing deep distress over what they termed this unfortunate incident. In a public statement, the family revealed that Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian. She had recently relocated back to Ibadan with her children to make preparations before eventually joining her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States of America.
The family has confirmed that security agencies were contacted immediately following the incident. While expressing hope and confidence in the capacity of the operatives, the family appealed to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that could jeopardize ongoing security operations. They also solicited prayers from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.
When contacted for an official reaction, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that he could not independently verify the specifics of the abduction at that moment, asking the press to hold on for further details. However, sources indicate that security operatives have already swung into action, with preliminary investigations and search efforts commencing in earnest to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
This latest kidnapping adds to a growing list of abductions in the state, raising concerns among residents about the deteriorating security situation. It comes less than three weeks after the highly publicized kidnapping of over 40 teachers and students in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, an incident that has led to protests by civil society groups demanding action. The state governor, Seyi Makinde, has previously lamented the limitations faced by his administration in tackling insecurity due to the federal government’s control over security agencies, yet the pressure on local law enforcement to stem this tide of lawlessness continues to mount.
As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and no demands have been made public. The family of Chief Adelabu remains hopeful, trusting that the combined efforts of the police and other security agencies will bring their loved ones back home safely.
