Gunmen kidnap ex-Power Minister Adelabu’s sister, twin sons in Ibadan

Gunmen have kidnapped Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power and leading All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Adelabu’s Media Aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the victims were abducted in the early hours of June 3, 2026, while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.

The statement said armed men intercepted Mrs. John-Paul at about 7:30 a.m. and forcefully took her and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to an unknown destination.

Awogboro described the incident as unfortunate and confirmed that security agencies had already commenced investigations into the abduction.

“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,” the statement said.

The family disclosed that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the victims and bring those responsible for the crime to justice.

Mrs. John-Paul, 43, is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. She previously worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.

According to the family, she relocated to Ibadan with her children after retirement while making arrangements to join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States.

Reacting to the development, the family said Chief Adelabu and his relatives were deeply saddened by the abduction but remained confident that security agencies would secure the victims’ release.

“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,” the statement added.

The family also appealed to Nigerians to pray for the safe return of Mrs. John-Paul and her children and urged anyone with useful information to provide it to the appropriate security authorities.

Awogboro said the family would continue to cooperate fully with investigators and provide updates as developments unfold.