The event happened on Wednesday in the Challenge area of the state’s Ibadan South West Local Government Area, an eyewitness told PUNCH Online.
“The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading APC governorship aspirant 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, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026,” stated Femi Awogboro, one of Adelabu’s media aides.
Armed gunmen allegedly kidnapped 43-year-old Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul at around 7:30 a.m. while she was en route to drop her kids off at school in Ibadan. Her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time, were also forcibly taken away by the kidnappers.
The youngest of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu’s five children is Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul. She had performed admirably at the First Bank Pension Custodian and the Central Bank of Nigeria before to her voluntary retirement last year.
“After retiring, she moved to Ibadan with her kids while preparing to eventually move to the United States of America with her husband, Mr. John Paul.”
Around 7:30 a.m., Mrs. John-Paul, 43, was allegedly kidnapped by armed gunmen while en route to drop her kids off at school in Ibadan. Her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time, were also forcibly taken away by the kidnappers.
“All pertinent security and law enforcement agencies were duly alerted as soon as the incident was reported. We are happy to confirm that security personnel have mobilized and that serious preliminary investigations have started. The victims are being safely rescued, and the perpetrators of this horrible crime are being apprehended.
The statement said, “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.”
As a result, the family urged the public to maintain composure, refrain from conjecture, and stop disseminating unconfirmed information that could endanger ongoing security efforts.
Additionally, it asked well-meaning Nigerians for prayers and assistance during this trying time.
The family also asked anyone with information that could help security officials with their investigation to notify it as soon as possible through the proper channels.
“The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold,” the statement continued.
According to the PUNCH, a concerted attack at Ahoro-Esiele in the state’s Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15, 2026, resulted in the kidnapping of more than forty teachers and kids.
Recall that in December 2025, armed men kidnapped Wale Oriade, an APC chieftain in the state, from Ibadan, the state capital.
According to information received, the event happened at his workplace at PJ Square Shopping Complex, which is next to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan, at approximately 7:06 p.m.
The attackers, according to eyewitnesses, arrived in a blue Micra car with a driver and an armed man inside. They took Oriade by force and drove him away in the same car.
The eyewitness stated, “His community is deeply concerned about the nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out.”
Olayinka Ayanlade, the state police public relations officer, responded in a text message to Crime Reporters Oyo platform, saying, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”
PUNCH
