Police rescue ex-Power Minister Adelabu’s sister, twin sons alive, two suspected kidnappers killed

By Johnson Arua

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, following a late-night operation conducted on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Oyo State.

Police sources disclosed that the victims were freed alive during the operation, which took place around 7:30 p.m. after they had spent several days in captivity.

According to the sources, two suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun battle with police operatives, while two firearms were recovered from the criminal gang.

Mrs. John-Paul, who is the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons were abducted on June 3, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m. while she was taking the children to school in Ibadan.

Security sources attributed the successful rescue to sustained intelligence gathering and tactical operations that mounted pressure on the kidnappers, eventually forcing them into a confrontation with law enforcement officers.

The sources added that security personnel have intensified efforts to track down other members of the kidnapping syndicate, some of whom reportedly escaped during the exchange of gunfire and are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.

The family of Chief Adelabu had earlier confirmed the abduction in a statement issued by his media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro.

The statement described the incident as unfortunate and expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies to secure the victims’ freedom and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring in 2025.

Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children and was reportedly preparing to join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier moved to the United States.