Gunmen have abducted the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her two children in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The victims, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday while on their way to school.
Confirming the incident, Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, said the 43-year-old was intercepted by armed men who also took her children.
“The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident,” the statement said.
Awogboro described Mrs John-Paul as the youngest of five children of the Adelabu family, noting that she had previously worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring last year.
“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America,” he added.
The family said security agencies were immediately alerted and have since commenced investigations and rescue efforts.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement read. “Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.”
“Chief 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,” said Awogboro.
He said the family has also appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could jeopardise ongoing operations.
“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,” Awogboro said.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the abduction.
In a statement, the police said the Commissioner of Police had directed the Divisional Police Officer of the Challenge Division, alongside tactical teams, to move swiftly to the scene, where the victim’s vehicle was recovered.
“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 statement said.
Police added that investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that could aid the rescue operation.
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