Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, alive during a late-night operation carried out around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The victims are the younger sister and nephews of former Minister of Power and Oyo State governorship aspirant, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. They had spent 84 hours in captivity after being abducted in Ibadan.
Police reports confirm the family was seized at about 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, while Mrs. Adegoke was taking the children to school. The abduction sparked immediate concern across Oyo State after gunmen intercepted them on their way to the children’s school. Intelligence and surveillance efforts followed for three days before operatives moved in.
The Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, FID-IRT, executed the rescue operation on Saturday night. Police sources disclosed that sustained intelligence tracking and tactical pressure forced the kidnappers into a confrontation with operatives. Two suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the gunfight and two rifles were recovered from the suspects. Other members of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds and remain the subject of an ongoing manhunt.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the FID-IRT operatives for professionalism and persistence in securing the victims’ freedom. Mrs. Adegoke and her twin sons were rescued unharmed and have since been reunited with their family. Security operatives are currently combing nearby areas for fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.
The rescue stands in contrast to another ongoing case in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area. Over 30 schoolchildren and teachers have been held since mid-May raids, where bandits killed a teacher, beheaded another on video, and demanded massive ransom plus Sharia law enforcement. Public reactions on X have highlighted perceived inequality, with users criticising faster action for connected families while school victims remain captive after weeks. Authorities say efforts to arrest all those involved in the Adelabu family case are continuing.
