Fresh concerns over insecurity in Oyo State have emerged following the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons by unidentified gunmen in Ibadan.
The victims, identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin boys, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday, June 3, 2026, while heading out for the children’s school activities.
The disturbing development was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, who described the incident as shocking and deeply traumatic for the entire family.
According to the statement, the 43-year-old woman was driving with her sons at about 7:30 a.m. when armed men intercepted their vehicle during the routine school run.
Witnesses in the area were said to have been thrown into panic as the heavily armed assailants forcefully whisked away the mother and her children to an unknown destination.
The incident has heightened fear among residents of Ibadan and surrounding communities, particularly as the kidnapping reportedly occurred during the busy morning hours when parents and workers were moving around the city.
Family sources disclosed that frantic efforts were already underway to establish contact with the abductors while security agencies had commenced investigations and search operations aimed at rescuing the victims safely.
The statement described Mrs. John-Paul as a respected professional and devoted mother who had built an impressive career in the financial sector before retiring voluntarily last year.
“She served diligently at the Central Bank of Nigeria and later at First Bank Pension Custodian before deciding to retire from active service. She is a peaceful and hardworking woman whose only concern has always been the wellbeing of her family and children,” the statement noted.
Relatives of the victims were said to be devastated by the incident, especially given the increasing wave of attacks targeting innocent citizens across different parts of the country.
Residents in the area where the abduction occurred recounted moments of confusion and terror as the gunmen reportedly blocked the road and carried out the operation swiftly before escaping.
Some residents lamented that kidnapping, once considered uncommon within parts of Ibadan, has gradually become a growing security threat, with criminals becoming more daring in recent months.
The abduction has also sparked reactions from concerned Nigerians on social media, many of whom called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of the victims and tackling the worsening insecurity affecting families nationwide.
Observers noted that the kidnapping of women and children during routine daily activities further demonstrates the urgent need for stronger security surveillance, rapid response systems and improved intelligence gathering across urban and rural communities.
As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, while details regarding possible ransom demands remained unclear.
Security operatives were reportedly combing nearby forests and suspected hideouts as investigations continued.
The Adelabu family, while appealing for calm, urged the public to support ongoing rescue efforts with useful information that could aid security agencies in locating the abducted victims.
The incident adds to the growing list of kidnapping cases recorded across Nigeria, where criminal gangs have increasingly targeted commuters, students, families and professionals for ransom.
Many residents have continued to express concern that despite repeated security operations and government assurances, kidnappers still appear capable of striking in broad daylight with little resistance.
Community leaders in Oyo State have also called for increased patrols, deployment of surveillance technology and closer collaboration between local vigilantes and conventional security agencies to prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, friends, associates and sympathisers of the family have continued to offer prayers and support, expressing hope that Mrs. John-Paul and her sons would return home safely and unharmed.
The atmosphere around the family residence in Ibadan was said to be tense on Wednesday as relatives anxiously awaited updates from authorities handling the case.
For many Nigerians, the abduction once again underscores the persistent security challenges confronting ordinary citizens and prominent families alike, as calls grow louder for more decisive action against criminal networks operating across the country.
