Gunmen kidnap former minister Adelabu’s sister, twin children in Ibadan

Armed gunmen abducted Busayo John-Paul, the 43-year-old younger sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Nigeria. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning around 7:30 a.m. near the Challenge area as Mrs. John-Paul was transporting her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to school in their Hyundai Sonata.

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There was a coaster bus that was passing around the time, and they (gunmen) passed it, and the next was the attack on the victims’ car. The woman locked the door but they broke the glass, took them, and drove towards Molete express.

An eyewitness reported that the attackers intercepted the victims' vehicle, smashing the driver's side window before forcing them into an unknown destination. The gunmen, reportedly arriving in a silver Toyota Camry occupied by two men, then drove towards the Molete express road. Police and other security agencies arrived at the scene shortly after the abduction.

The family of Mr. Adelabu, through his media aide Femi Awogboro, confirmed the distressing event. They expressed confidence in the security agencies' ability to ensure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children, stating that all relevant agencies have been contacted and efforts are underway for their rescue and the apprehension of the perpetrators.

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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.

According to Awogboro, the abducted family members were preparing to join Mrs. John-Paul's husband, who had previously relocated to the United States. Mr. Adelabu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, resigned his ministerial position in April to contest the party's primary election in Oyo State, which he lost.

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Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the abduction and stated that investigations are ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible. This incident occurs amidst heightened security concerns in Oyo State, following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area in May, which sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for enhanced security measures across schools and communities.

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We’ve started investigations into the matter and efforts to rescue the victims are currently ongoing.