Gunmen have kidnapped Olaide John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and her twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The victims were abducted on Wednesday morning in the Elewura area of Challenge while Mrs John-Paul was taking her children to school.
A media aide to ex-minister Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were taken by armed men at about 7:30 a.m.
According to the statement, security agencies were informed immediately after the incident and have begun investigations.
“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. Security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible,” the statement said.
The family said Adelabu and his relatives were distressed by the development but expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
It appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could affect ongoing security operations and urged anyone with useful information to contact the appropriate authorities.
The statement noted that John-Paul, 43, worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian before retiring last year. It added that she later moved to Ibadan with her children while making plans to join her husband in the United States.
The abduction comes weeks after the kidnapping of students and teachers in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In December 2025, APC chieftain Wale Oriade was also abducted by gunmen in Ibadan.
