Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, following a fierce late-night gun battle in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The victims, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her sons, Peter and Paul, were freed unharmed at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026. This came exactly three days after armed gunmen intercepted them at the Elewura area of Challenge, Ibadan, while Mrs. John-Paul was driving her children to school.
According to an official statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the operation was executed by the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) following intensive surveillance and tracking. Two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded during the tactical confrontation, and two rifles were recovered from the gang.
"The rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations. These efforts enabled investigators to track the kidnappers' movements, resulting in a confrontation with FID-IRT operatives," Placid stated.
Prior to the rescue, the abduction had drawn widespread condemnation and political attention, prompting Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to visit the distressed Adelabu family on Friday to offer assurances of intensified security measures.
Meanwhile, police authorities disclosed that a massive manhunt has been launched to arrest the surviving members of the syndicate who fled the gunfight. Preliminary intelligence indicates that several suspects escaped into neighbouring forests with severe gunshot injuries.