Police start investigation into kidnapping of ex-minister’s sister and her kids in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command said on Wednesday that it has started looking into the kidnapping of the younger sister of Bayo Adelabu, a former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress gubernatorial hopeful for 2027, along with her twin children. They were taken in the early hours of Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.

In a statement from Olayinka Ayanlade, the state Police Public Relations Officer, the police assured the public that they have put all necessary resources in place. Their goal is to rescue the victims safely and catch those responsible for the kidnapping.

Femi Awogboro, a media aide to Adelabu, earlier confirmed the sad news. He said, "The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading gubernatorial aspirant of APC 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."

Awogboro continued, "Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident."

He added, "Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian."

Meanwhile, the police stated, "Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, 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 police also said, "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."

They added that investigations are ongoing to discover what happened and to bring the offenders to justice. The police urged residents to stay calm, follow the law, and cooperate by providing any useful information that may help with the investigations.