Gunmen have abducted the younger sister of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The victims, identified as Olaide John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday morning while on their way to school.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by Femi Awogboro, a media aide to the minister, on Wednesday.
According to him, the 43-year-old woman was abducted at about 7:30 a.m. while taking her children to school.
“The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons who were with her at the time of the incident,” Awogboro said.
He described John-Paul as the youngest of Olufunmilayo Adelabu’s five children.
Awogboro disclosed that she previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and First Bank Pension Custodian before voluntarily retiring from service last year.
“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America,” he added.
The aide said security agencies were immediately notified after the incident and had commenced investigations.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime,” he stated.
Awogboro noted that Adelabu and members of the family were deeply saddened by the incident but expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies to secure the victims’ release.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.
“The family respectfully appeals to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardize ongoing security operations,” he said.
He further urged anyone with useful information regarding the incident to assist security agencies through appropriate channels, assuring that the family would continue to cooperate with authorities and provide updates as developments unfold.
