Former Power Minister Adelabu’s Sister, Children Abducted in Oyo

Gunmen have abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan.

The victims, identified as Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin boys, Peter and Paul were reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday while she was taking the children to school.

According to a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. when armed men intercepted the family and forcefully whisked them away to an unknown destination. The abduction has sent shockwaves through the family and political circles in Oyo State, with concerns growing over the safety of the victims and the increasing threat posed by criminal gangs operating across parts of the country.

Awogboro disclosed that security agencies were immediately alerted after the incident and have since commenced investigations aimed at securing the safe release of the victims.

“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.

Family members described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that Mrs John-Paul had only recently settled in Ibadan following her voluntary retirement from active service.

The 43-year-old previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before retiring last year. According to relatives, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while preparing to join her husband, Mr John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States.

The family said Chief Adelabu and other relatives remain devastated by the development but are hopeful that ongoing security efforts will yield positive results. They appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.

“The family respectfully appeals to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations,” the statement added.

The family also called on Nigerians to remember the victims in their prayers and urged anyone with credible information that could assist investigators to contact the appropriate security authorities.

As investigations continue, security agencies are expected to intensify efforts to track down the abductors and ensure the safe return of the victims.