Oyo State Police Command operatives rescued Mrs Olaide John-Paul, sister of former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons on Saturday night. The victims were freed unharmed after three days in captivity.
The rescue followed an intelligence-led operation that tracked the kidnappers to a hideout in Ibadan. Security sources confirmed two suspects were neutralised during a gunfight, while two firearms were recovered. The victims were immediately taken for medical checks and psychological support.
The abduction occurred on Wednesday morning when armed men intercepted John-Paul’s vehicle while she dropped her children at school. Governor Seyi Makinde visited Adelabu on Friday, assuring the family that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure their release. The incident heightened concerns over rising kidnappings in Oyo State, particularly along vulnerable road corridors.
Police sources described the operation as swift and pressure-driven, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their captives. Public reactions remain cautious, with calls for transparency on whether ransom was paid. The police have intensified efforts to dismantle the criminal network behind the attack, with investigations ongoing.
This rescue comes weeks after over 35 schoolchildren were abducted in Orire, near Ogbomoso. The state’s security architecture, including the Amotekun corps, faces scrutiny amid persistent insecurity. Activist Sunday Igboho recently offered to lead a regional security initiative, pending government approval.
