FRESH TENSION IN IBADAN AS GUNMEN KIDNAP EX-MINISTER BAYO ADELABU'S SISTER.

Gunmen have abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the 43-year-old younger sister of former Minister of Power and APC 2027 governorship aspirant Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, Oyo State. 951a

The incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan South West LGA, while Mrs. John-Paul was on her way to drop her children at school. Eyewitnesses said the attackers fired sporadically to scare residents, forced her out of her Kia Sonata, and drove her and the twins away in another vehicle brought by the kidnappers. A video circulating online showed a red Toyota Camry abandoned on the street with doors ajar, suggesting a sudden attack.

Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the abduction in an official statement, describing it as “unfortunate” and deeply distressing to the family. The statement said Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, and had recently retired from service at the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before relocating to Ibadan with her children. She was making arrangements to join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the U.S.

Security agencies were immediately notified, and the family said preliminary investigations had commenced to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend those responsible. The family appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing operations. The Oyo State Police Command said it could not yet independently verify the incident. 

The abduction comes amid a fresh spate of kidnappings in Oyo. On May 15, 2026, over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped during an attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire LGA. In December 2025, APC chieftain Wale Oriade was also abducted in Ibadan by armed men who arrived in a blue Micra. The latest incident has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in the state.