Police parade gang members linked to Adelabu’s sister, nephews’ abduction

The Oyo State Police Command has paraded four suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of Mrs Busola Adegoke John-Paul, the biological sister of former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, paraded the suspects on Sunday at the State Police Headquarters, Eleyele, in Ibadan, the state capital, urging residents to remain vigilant and report fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.

Items recovered from the suspects included three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the abduction, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs, and two face masks.

CP Abimbola had earlier led a team of police officers and journalists to the kidnappers’ hideout located at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.

The visit followed a successful intelligence-led rescue operation that secured the release of John-Paul and her twin sons.

Recall that the victims, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were abducted at Elewura in the Challenge area of Ibadan on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

They were abducted at Elewura-Challenge in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The abduction was carried out by armed attackers who were said to have trailed the car conveying the victims from their home before flagging them down at 7:30 a.m. at the scene of the incident.

However, during the inspection of the hideout and subsequent press briefing at the Command Headquarters, the CP disclosed that investigations and security operations linked to the incident were still ongoing.

He assured residents that every member of the criminal syndicate would be tracked down and brought to justice.

Abimbola said the operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, the state Police Command, and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said, “The victims were abducted at about 7:30 a.m. on June 3 while the mother was taking her children to school along Elewura Street, off Ring Road, Ibadan.

“Following the report of the incident, the command immediately launched an intelligence-driven manhunt on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, leading to the deployment of specialised tactical and intelligence teams.

“The operation led to the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as ‘Oloro,’ who was already on the Command’s watchlist. His arrest provided a breakthrough that exposed the wider kidnapping network.

“Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Dare Oyedele, alias ‘Solution,’ identified as another key member of the gang.

“Police investigations revealed that the kidnappers had monitored the family’s activities for weeks before the abduction.

“The gang allegedly conducted surveillance on the family’s daily movements, vehicles, lifestyle, and the schools attended by the children.

“Investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting attempts to recruit an insider connected to the household as part of the plot.”

The commissioner disclosed that intelligence gathered from the suspects and digital evidence eventually led operatives to the gang’s hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North.

He said operatives stormed the location on June 6 at about 7:30 p.m. in a carefully coordinated rescue mission.

“Upon sighting the operatives, one of the gang members, identified as Kelechi, who was serving as a lookout for the gang, opened fire on the police team.

“Our operatives responded professionally and successfully neutralised him and another unidentified member of the syndicate,” he said.

The police boss said that following the operation, the victims were rescued unhurt and safely reunited with their families.

He also announced the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35, who allegedly facilitated the use of the hideout and supported the activities of the gang.

Abimbola disclosed that some members of the gang escaped during the operation, with intelligence suggesting that they may have sustained gunshot injuries while fleeing.