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The Oyo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Busayo John-Paul, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul.
Busayo, 43, and her 12-year-old sons were abducted by gunmen around 7:30 am on Wednesday while she was taking the children to school on Ring Road, Ibadan.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the command had deployed tactical teams and other resources to secure the victims’ release and arrest the perpetrators.
He said, “Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered and commence intensive investigations.
“The command wishes to assure members of the public that all necessary resources have been deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this criminal act.”
The police also appealed to residents to provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.
Earlier, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the abduction in a statement.
“The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul,” the statement read.
Awogboro described the development as distressing but expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the victims’ release.
“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs John-Paul and her children,” he added.
The family appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information, which could jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts.
Reacting to the incident, the Oyo State chapter of the APC urged Governor Seyi Makinde to work closely with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to tackle the growing wave of insecurity in the state.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party called for a review of the state’s security architecture to ensure better protection of lives and property.
The APC noted that the latest abduction came amid public concerns over unresolved kidnapping cases involving teachers and students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, as well as two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Oluyole Local Government Area.
“No citizen deserves to live in perpetual fear and anxiety, as is the situation with the residents of Oyo at the moment.
“As it stands, nobody is safe anywhere in the state, and it has never been this bad,” the party said.
The opposition party also referenced the abduction of one of its chieftains, Wale Oriade, in Ibadan in December 2025.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the abduction as further evidence of the worsening security situation in the country.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the incident demonstrated that no one was immune from Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis.
“The fact that kidnappers could strike in such a prominent public space without fear of interception speaks volumes about the worsening security situation in the country.
“Kidnappers do not ask for party membership cards before striking. They do not distinguish between APC members and opposition supporters. They do not care whether their victims are ministers, former ministers, traders, teachers, students or farmers,” he said.
He added, “The same insecurity that has turned the lives of ordinary Nigerians into a daily nightmare is now knocking on doors many in government may have assumed were beyond its reach.”
Atiku urged the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive intelligence-driven approach to combating insecurity.
“We need a comprehensive, intelligence-driven strategy capable of dismantling kidnapping syndicates, securing vulnerable communities and restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to protect lives and property,” he said.
Also reacting, APC governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ololade Bakare, sympathised with Adelabu and his family, while calling for urgent action to secure the victims’ release.
“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, and all available resources and strategic interventions must be deployed without delay,” Bakare said.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
“Collective vigilance remains a critical component in enhancing community safety,” he added.
