KEY POINTS

• Gunmen abducted the sister of ex-Minister Adebayo Adelabu and her 12-year-old twin sons in Ibadan during a morning school run.
• The family confirmed the incident and said security agencies have launched rescue operations.
• Authorities and the family have urged the public to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

Suspected armed men have abducted the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The victims, identified as Mrs. Olaide John-Paul and her children, were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m. while she was on her routine morning school run.

The incident has thrown the family into distress, even as security agencies have launched a manhunt for the attackers and intensified efforts to rescue the victims unharmed.

The family of the former minister confirmed the abduction in an official statement issued through his media aide, Femi Awogboro.

According to the statement, Mrs. John-Paul is the youngest child of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu and had recently relocated to Ibadan with her children after voluntarily retiring from her job at First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025.

She was also reportedly preparing to join her husband, who is based in the United States.

Security Agencies Launch Rescue Efforts

The family disclosed that security operatives had already commenced preliminary investigations and activated rescue operations immediately after the incident was reported.

Authorities are also working to track down those responsible for the kidnapping.

The family appealed for calm, urging members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could disrupt ongoing rescue efforts.

They also called on anyone with useful intelligence to report it promptly to security agencies, stressing that they remain hopeful the victims will be safely rescued.