Gunmen abduct Adebayo Adelabu’s sister, twin sons in Ibadan

Armed men have abducted Busayo John-Paul, the 43-year-old younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday around the Challenge area, while Mrs John-Paul was taking her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to school in a white Hyundai Sonata.

An eyewitness who spoke during a live programme on Fresh FM said the attackers intercepted the vehicle and forcefully whisked the victims away to an unknown destination.

According to the witness, the assailants arrived in a silver Toyota Camry with two occupants. He alleged that one of the attackers, who was armed, smashed the driver’s side window before forcibly removing the victims.

“There was a coaster bus that was passing around the time, and they (gunmen) passed it, and the next was the attack on the victims’ car. The woman locked the door but they broke the glass, took them, and drove towards Molete express,” the eyewitness said.

Security operatives were later said to have arrived at the scene after the attackers had fled.

Confirming the incident, the family of Adebayo Adelabu, in a statement issued through his media aide, Femi Awogboro, described the abduction as distressing and appealed for calm while urging public support.

“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,” the statement read.

It added that security and law enforcement agencies were immediately contacted after the incident and had begun efforts to secure the victims’ release and apprehend those responsible.

Awogboro also noted that the abducted mother and her children were preparing to join her husband, who had earlier relocated to the United States.

He further urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could hinder ongoing rescue operations.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying investigations had commenced and efforts were underway to rescue the victims.

Police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said tactical teams had been deployed after the matter was reported.

“We’ve started investigations into the matter and efforts to rescue the victims are currently ongoing,” he said.

The latest abduction adds to growing security concerns in Oyo State, following a series of kidnapping incidents in recent months, including the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

That earlier attack, in which about 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted, sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures in schools and communities across the state.

In response, the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) declared an indefinite strike, citing concerns over the safety of teachers and students.

Although the strike remains limited to Oyo State, the national leadership of the union directed state chapters to hold solidarity actions demanding the safe return of abducted victims and improved security for schools nationwide.

On Tuesday, leaders of the Oyo NUT met with Governor Seyi Makinde, presenting demands focused on the rescue of abducted students and teachers as well as stronger security infrastructure in schools. The union said it would await further directives from its national leadership before deciding on its next steps.