Unknown gunmen on Wednesday abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The victims, identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, 43, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. in the Elewura area of Challenge, within Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were travelling from their residence towards the expressway when armed men intercepted their vehicle and whisked them away to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident, Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, disclosed that the victims were attacked while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.
“Adelabu’s younger sister, together with her twin sons, Peter and Paul, were kidnapped this morning by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan. The family members were going out this morning from Elewura to link the expressway when they were attacked and taken away by the kidnappers,” Awogboro said.
In a statement issued on behalf of the family, Awogboro formally confirmed the abduction and appealed to the public to remain calm while security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
The statement described Mrs. John-Paul as the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. It noted that she previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year and relocating to Ibadan with her children.
According to the family, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were immediately notified after the incident, and investigations have commenced.
“Security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime,” the statement read.
The family expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children, while urging members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.
They also appealed to anyone with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the victims to promptly provide such information to the appropriate security authorities.
As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the abduction, while security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
