Armed gunmen on Wednesday morning abducted Busayo John-Paul, the 43-year-old younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The victims were taken around 7:30 a.m. near the Challenge area while Mrs. John-Paul was driving her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, to school in a wine-colored Hyundai Sonata. An eyewitness reported on Fresh FM that the attackers intercepted the vehicle and forcibly took the victims to an unknown location. The gunmen arrived in a silver Toyota Camry with two occupants. One of the attackers smashed the driver's side window before abducting the family.
The witness stated, "There was a coaster bus passing at the time, and the gunmen overtook it before attacking the victims' car. The woman locked the door, but they broke the glass, took them, and drove toward Molete express." Police and other security agencies later arrived at the scene.
Family Confirms Abduction
In a statement, the family of Mr. Adelabu, issued by his media aide Femi Awogboro, described the incident as distressing and called for calm and public support. "The entire family is deeply distressed by this tragic development but remains hopeful and confident in the capacity of security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children," the statement read. "Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible."
Mr. Awogboro noted that the abducted family members were preparing to join Mrs. John-Paul's husband, who had earlier relocated to the United States. Mr. Adelabu resigned as Minister of Power in April to contest the APC governorship primary in May in Oyo State but lost.
Police Response
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the abduction and stated that efforts are underway to rescue the victims and track down the perpetrators. "We have started investigations into the matter, and efforts to rescue the victims are currently ongoing," said police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade.
Insecurity Concerns in Oyo State
The latest incident heightens concerns over insecurity in Oyo State, following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area in May. That attack involved about 39 pupils and seven teachers, sparking outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures across schools and communities.
The incident also prompted the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on an indefinite strike, arguing that teachers could no longer work under conditions exposing them and their students to security threats. While the strike remains limited to Oyo State, the union's national leadership directed state chapters nationwide to organize solidarity protests demanding the release of the abducted victims and improved school security.
On Tuesday, leaders of the Oyo NUT met Governor Seyi Makinde and presented demands centered on the safe release of the abducted teachers and students, as well as enhanced security infrastructure for schools. The union said it would await further directives from its national leadership before deciding its next course of action.
