Gunmen struck in Ibadan on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, abducting the younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons. The attack occurred at about 7:30 a.m. in the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, as the family was on their way to drop the children at school.
The victims were identified as Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, 43, and her twin sons Peter and Paul. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen waylaid the family vehicle and opened fire sporadically to scare residents and passers-by who might attempt to block their escape. Business and other activities in the area were temporarily halted as people scampered for safety. The woman was forced out of her Kia Sonata and driven away alongside her children in a vehicle brought by the kidnappers.
A video circulating on social media captured the immediate aftermath at the scene. The clip showed a red sedan with its doors flung open and visible damage to the bodywork. The driver’s side window glass was shattered, with fragments scattered on the dusty ground. A crowd of onlookers gathered around the vehicle, inspecting its interior and exterior. In the video, a visibly worried woman was heard saying that the victim is the younger sister of “Penkelemesi,” Adelabu’s popular nickname. Another male voice confirmed, “She is the last-born of the family of Bayo Adelabu, Penkele.”
The incident was confirmed by Femi Awogboro, one of the media aides to the former minister. In a statement, Awogboro said the family of Chief Adebayo Adelabu formally confirmed the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister and her twin sons in the early hours of Wednesday. He stated that Mrs John-Paul was reportedly abducted while on her way to drop her children at school, and the abductors forcefully took her away with the 12-year-old twins who were with her at the time.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, reacted to the incident but said he could not independently verify it at the time of reporting. He asked for patience as investigations continued. The abduction comes weeks after over 40 teachers and students were reportedly kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack in the Ahoro-Esiele area of Oriire Local Government Area of the state. It will also be recalled that an APC chieftain in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December 2025. The fresh attack in Challenge has heightened concerns about security in Oyo State, particularly around schools and residential areas during morning hours.
Video credit: Facebook/ X / Ibadan Cruise Tv / Oyo Affairs/ Nigeriana / Juju Tv
