The family of the immediate-past Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has confirmed the abduction of his younger sister and her twin sons in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The state Police Command has begun an investigation and manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime. The police recovered the car from which the victims were taken at the scene.
In the same vein, the Adelabu family urged members of the public to remain calm, as security agencies intensify rescue efforts.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, on behalf of the family, by one of the former minister’s media aides, Femi Awogboro, the family confirmed that the victims were Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.
The Ibadan metropolis was thrown into panic when the incident was first reported at about 7:30 a.m. when Mrs. John-Paul was on her way to drop the children at their school.
According to the statement, armed men intercepted the vehicle and forcefully abducted the victims before whisking them away to an unknown destination.
Mrs. John-Paul, is said to be the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu and was said to have recently retired from active service, having previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian.
She had reportedly relocated to Ibadan after her retirement, while making plans to join her husband, Mr. John-Paul, who is based in the United States.
The family said all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were immediately notified, adding that security operatives had already commenced investigations and were working to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
The statement appealed to the public to avoid speculations and the spread of unverified information that could interfere with ongoing security operations, while urging Nigerians to offer prayers and support during the difficult period.
“We respectfully appeal to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations,” the statement read.
The family also appealed to members of the public with useful information to report to relevant security authorities to assist ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command said it had commenced investigations into the reported abduction.
A statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ayanlade Olayinka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), disclosed that upon receiving information about the incident, the state Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Challenge Division, alongside other tactical units, to move to the scene of the incident.
According to the police, the victim’s vehicle was recovered at the scene, while intensive investigations had since begun to determine the circumstances surrounding the abduction and track down those responsible.
The command assured residents that all necessary resources and operational assets had been deployed to facilitate the safe rescue of the victims and ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
