Prominent Politician's Family Abducted in Ibadan, Sparks Fear

Gunmen have recently abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

The distressing incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of a recent Wednesday morning, June 3rd, around 7:30 a.m. in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Oyo State, while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.

Adebayo Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, formally confirmed the abduction, stating that the family was deeply distressed but remained hopeful for a safe rescue.

Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. She had a distinguished career in the financial sector, serving at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian until her voluntary retirement last year.

Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children, intending to join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had previously moved to the United States of America.

Immediately after the incident, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were alerted.

The family confirmed that security operatives swiftly launched preliminary investigations and are actively working to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators responsible for this heinous crime.

The family has appealed to the public to maintain calm, avoid spreading unverified information that could jeopardize rescue efforts, and offer prayers and support.

They also urged anyone with useful information to come forward through appropriate channels, committing to full cooperation with security authorities and promising further updates.

This abduction highlights growing concerns over insecurity within Oyo State. In a related incident in May, over 40 teachers and students were reportedly kidnapped during an attack on the Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, prompting authorities to launch operations to secure their release and restore peace.

Reacting to the news, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar expressed profound solidarity with the Adelabu family and underscored the alarming depth of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the abduction as particularly shocking given that it occurred in the bustling Challenge Bus Stop, a prominent and busy location in the heart of Ibadan.

He noted that the ability of kidnappers to strike in such a public space without fear of interception speaks volumes about the deteriorating security situation nationwide.

Atiku challenged the Tinubu administration, questioning whether government officials, often seen as desensitized to the suffering of ordinary citizens, would finally be alarmed when insecurity directly affects one of their own.

He lamented the widespread trauma inflicted on Nigerian families, citing abductions of schoolchildren, displacement of farmers, kidnapping of travelers on highways, and entire communities living under siege by fear.

He criticized the government’s response, characterizing it as reactive rather than preventive, arguing that repeated assurances from security agencies have not translated into measurable improvements in public safety.

He called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s internal security architecture, emphasizing intelligence-led policing, better inter-agency coordination, and improved protection of urban hotspots that have increasingly become vulnerable to criminal activity.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Police Command confirmed that a coordinated search-and-rescue operation has been launched, involving tactical units and local intelligence networks.

Security sources disclosed that the abductors fled the scene through a yet-to-be-identified route shortly after the incident, suggesting prior knowledge of movement patterns in the area.

Investigators are also reviewing nearby CCTV footage and tracking possible communication intercepts linked to ransom demands.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the incident as “brazen and carefully executed,” noting that the timing and location pointed to a level of surveillance and planning that goes beyond opportunistic crime.

He added that efforts are ongoing to establish whether the attack was targeted or part of a broader kidnapping network operating across Ibadan and surrounding corridors.

Community leaders in the Challenge axis have raised renewed concerns over the visibility of security patrols, calling for increased street-level policing and faster emergency response mechanisms.

Residents say the area, despite its commercial density and constant traffic, has seen a rise in sporadic abductions and armed robberies in recent months, heightening public anxiety.

The incident has also reignited debate over the safety of school runs in urban centers, with education stakeholders urging authorities to consider designated protection measures for routes commonly used by parents and children during peak hours.

Some have proposed the deployment of rapid response escorts or surveillance-backed monitoring systems in high-risk zones.

As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of Mrs. John-Paul and her twin sons remain unknown. Security agencies say no ransom demand has been officially confirmed, though investigations are ongoing.

The Adelabu family continues to appeal for calm and prayers, expressing hope that the victims will be returned safely as search efforts intensify across multiple operational theatres.