The family of former Minister of Power and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has confirmed the abduction of his younger sister, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the family’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.
The family said armed men intercepted and forcefully whisked away the mother and her two sons, describing the incident as painful and deeply troubling.
The statement noted that immediately the kidnapping was reported, security and law enforcement agencies were contacted and have since commenced investigations into the matter.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement said.
Mrs. John-Paul, 43, is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. She previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring from service last year.
Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making arrangements to join her husband, who had earlier moved to the United States.
The family expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies to secure the safe release of the victims and ensure that those responsible for the crime are brought to justice.
They also urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information that could interfere with ongoing rescue operations.
“We respectfully appeal to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations,” the family stated.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the abduction and disclosed that tactical teams have been deployed to rescue the victims and track down the kidnappers.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the deployment of operatives to the scene after receiving the report. He added that the victim’s vehicle had been recovered as investigations and rescue efforts continue.
ADELABU’S SISTER, TWO SONS ABDUCTED IN IBADAN AS POLICE LAUNCH RESCUE OPERATION
