The victims were reportedly seized around 7:30 a.m. while Mrs John-Paul was driving her children, Peter and Paul, to school in the Bolumole area of Ring Road, Ibadan, in what has become the latest high-profile abduction to rattle the country.
The incident came barely hours after armed bandits stormed an off-campus hostel of students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, abducting at least seven students during a night raid that further underscored the deepening insecurity across parts of the country.
Security agencies have since launched rescue operations for the students.
The latest abduction in Oyo has also renewed concerns over the fate of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State, who have remained in captivity for weeks despite repeated appeals by parents, labour unions and public officials for their release.
Their continued detention has sparked nationwide outrage and intensified calls for stronger action against kidnappers and bandits.
Family sources said Mrs John-Paul, 43, was ambushed by armed men who intercepted her vehicle and whisked her and the twins away to an unknown destination before security operatives could respond.
The victim is the youngest of the five children of Mrs Olufunmilayo Adelabu and had recently relocated to Ibadan after retiring from a career that spanned the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.
Confirming the incident, one of Adelabu’s media aides, Mr Femi Awogboro, described the abduction as a devastating blow to the family.
“The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026,” he said.
Awogboro disclosed that the victims were taken while on their way to school, adding that security agencies had immediately been alerted.
“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime,” he stated.
He noted that despite the family’s anguish, they remained optimistic that the victims would return home safely.
“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs John-Paul and her children,” the statement added.
The family appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading rumours, and refrain from circulating unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.
It also called on anyone with credible information that could aid investigators to channel such intelligence through appropriate security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command said it had commenced intensive investigations into the abduction.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Alayande, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had directed tactical units and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Challenge Division to mobilise to the scene immediately.
“Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene where the victim’s vehicle was recovered and to commence intensive investigations,” he said.
According to him, detectives have begun efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and track down the perpetrators.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Command urges residents to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperative with the Police by providing any useful information that may assist ongoing investigations,” Alayande added.
The latest kidnapping has heightened fears among residents and political stakeholders in Oyo State, while further highlighting the growing challenge posed by armed gangs and kidnappers across several parts of the country.
With fresh attacks reported in Zamfara and other states, pressure is mounting on security agencies to stem the wave of abductions and secure the release of those still in captivity.
