Former Minister’s Sister and Twin Sons Abducted in Ibadan School Run

IBADAN — Security forces in Oyo State have launched an intensive manhunt following the early Wednesday morning abduction of Busayo John-Paul, the 43-year-old younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu. The victim was captured alongside her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

The Ambush

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the bustling Challenge area of Ibadan. Mrs. John-Paul was commuting in a wine-colored Hyundai sedan to drop her children off at school when her vehicle was intercepted.

According to an account detailed by an eyewitness during a live broadcast on a reliable source, the assailants tracked the family in a silver Toyota Camry carrying two men. The armed operatives cornered the Hyundai, and when the victim locked the doors in a desperate bid for safety, one of the perpetrators shattered the driver’s side window. The mother and her children were then violently forced into the getaway car.

“A commuter bus passed by just moments before the ambush, and they let it go. The very next car was the target," the witness stated, adding that the abductors sped off via the Molete expressway. Law enforcement personnel and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the perpetrators fled.

Family Appeals for Calm

Confirming the distressing development, the Adelabu family released an official statement through the former minister’s media representative, Femi Awogboro. The family expressed profound shock over the occurrence but remains optimistic about a positive outcome.

"The family is deeply destabilized by this agonizing situation, yet we retain absolute trust in the capacity of our law enforcement agencies to guarantee the safe return of Mrs. John-Paul and her boys," the statement noted. "All critical security organs were notified immediately upon the report of the crime. Comprehensive tactical operations are currently underway to rescue our relatives and bring the authors of this heinous act to justice."

It was further revealed that the abducted family had been making final arrangements to relocate to the United States to reunite with Mrs. John-Paul’s husband, who had moved ahead of them.

Police and Political Backlash

The Oyo State Police Command has officially verified the kidnapping. Speaking on behalf of the command, police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade assured the public that substantial investigative resources have been deployed.

"We have commenced a full-scale investigation into the circumstances of this abduction. Operational and intelligence assets are actively tracking the perpetrators to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed," Ayanlade stated.

The incident has stoked growing anxiety across the state's political and civil landscapes. This high-profile crime follows closely on the heels of an aggressive wave of insecurity in Oyo State, notably highlighted by the mass abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers within the Oriire Local Government Area just weeks prior.

That previous school raid triggered widespread public anger and led the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to initiate an indefinite strike action over unsafe working conditions. While the strike remains localized to Oyo State, national union leaders have mobilized solidarity demonstrations across the country to pressure authorities for heightened campus security. Just a day prior to this latest incident, union executives met with Governor Seyi Makinde to outline urgent demands regarding security infrastructure, leaving the public on edge as regional instability continues to escalate.