Gunmen on Wednesday abducted Olaide Adegoke John-Paul, younger sister of former Minister of Power and Oyo State governorship aspirant, Bayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan.

Mrs. John-Paul, 43, is the youngest of the five children of Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred in the Bolumole area of Ring Road, Ibadan, at about 7:30 a.m. while she was taking the children to school.

Chief Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday.

According to the statement, armed men intercepted Mrs. John-Paul’s vehicle and forcefully whisked her away along with the twins.

“Armed gunmen intercepted Mrs. John-Paul in Ibadan and forcefully took her away with the twins, who were with her at the time,” Awogboro said.

The abduction has sent shockwaves through the family and the wider political community in Oyo State, given Adelabu’s prominence as a former minister and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Awogboro said the incident had been reported to all relevant security and law enforcement agencies.

Reacting to the development, Adelabu said the family was deeply distressed by the abduction but remained hopeful of the safe release of the victims.

He appealed to Nigerians to keep the family in their prayers during the difficult period.

Adelabu also urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that could jeopardise ongoing security operations.

He further stressed the need for caution in sharing information on social media.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Olayinka Alayande, confirmed that an investigation into the incident had commenced.

Alayande assured members of the public that all necessary resources had been deployed to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend those responsible for the crime.

“Following the report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Challenge Division, alongside other tactical teams, to proceed to the scene, where the victim’s vehicle was recovered, and to commence intensive investigations.

“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,” he said.