Pandemonium, desolate streets as unknown gunmen kidnap ex-minister's sister, 12yr-old kids inside Ibadan metropolis

Pandemonium, desolate streets as unknown gunmen kidnap ex-minister’s sister, 12yr-old kids inside Ibadan metropolis

Khalid ABRAHAM

Bayo Adelabu

Streets in Ibadan Oyo state capital are now desolate as unknown gunmen struck at Challenge area early Wednesday abducting a woman and his twin sons later identified as sister of immediate past Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu a.k.a. Penkelemesi. The twins are said to be 12 years old.

According to eyewitnesses the incident happened at about 7:30 while she was driving her kids to their (private) school. The suspects intercepted her and forced them into their vehicle before driving away at top speed.

This ignited instant disruption of activities in the area and farther away with people running helter-skelter trying to scamper into safety. “It was real pandemonium,” a tricyclist (Maruwa) told ogbomosoinsightonline.com. “Parents and guardians rushed to schools (private) to retrieve their children and wards, the streets are now deserted.”

The family of Adebayo Adelabu has confirmed the abduction giving the victims’ names as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke, John and Paul.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the incident occurred in the early hours of June 3, 2026.

Mrs. John-Paul, 43, was reportedly kidnapped around 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school.

Her 12-year-old twin sons, identified as Peter and Paul, were also forcefully taken by the assailants.

The victims were said to have been abducted by armed men who intercepted them during the school run, heightening concerns over security in the area.

Mrs. John-Paul is described as a former staff member of both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian, where she served before voluntarily retiring last year.

She had since relocated to Ibadan with her children, with plans to later join her husband in the United States.

The family disclosed that security and law enforcement agencies were immediately notified of the development and have since commenced investigations.

Authorities are said to be working to secure the safe release of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

While expressing deep distress over the incident, Adelabu and his family called for calm among the public, urging Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified information that could hinder ongoing rescue efforts.

They also appealed for prayers and support, while encouraging anyone with useful information to assist security agencies by reporting through appropriate channels.

The family assured that it would continue to cooperate with authorities and provide updates as the situation unfolded.

The spokesman for the Oyo state Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, when contacted, said: “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”