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The Oyo State Police Command has revealed that the arrest of suspects linked to the abduction of Olaide John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons has provided investigators with crucial intelligence into a larger kidnapping syndicate operating within Oyo State and neighbouring areas.
The Command said the successful rescue of the victims, the killing of two armed kidnappers and the arrest of four key suspects represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle organised kidnapping networks in the state.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, said the operation was carried out jointly by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the Oyo State Police Command and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force following the abduction of the victims on June 3.
According to the police commissioner, the operation not only secured the safe release of the victims but also exposed the gang’s organisational structure, surveillance methods, planning processes and operational network.
“The arrest of the principal suspects has provided investigators with critical intelligence and a major breakthrough into the activities of a wider kidnapping syndicate. Information already obtained from the suspects is aiding ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the gang who remain at large,” he said.
Olugbenga disclosed that after receiving reports of the abduction, the Inspector-General of Police ordered a coordinated, intelligence-led operation, resulting in the deployment of FID-IRT operatives and tactical teams to strategic locations across the state.
Investigations first led to the arrest of a suspect known as “Oloro”, who was already on the police watchlist for alleged involvement in similar criminal activities.
Police said information obtained from him led to the arrest of another key suspect, Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution”, who allegedly played a significant role within the gang.
Preliminary findings revealed that the kidnappers had begun planning the abduction weeks before it occurred.
Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that the gang attempted to recruit an insider connected to the family through a household staff member identified as Segun in May 2026.
Police said the recruitment effort formed part of an extensive surveillance operation designed to gather information about the family’s routines, movements, vehicles and the schools attended by the children.
According to the commissioner, forensic examination of digital evidence recovered from the suspects showed photographs of the family’s vehicles, school environment and daily activities, indicating that the victims had been closely monitored before the abduction.
The intelligence trail eventually led operatives to a hideout in the Lado community area of Ayegun, Ibadan.
On June 6, at about 7:30 p.m., security personnel launched a coordinated rescue mission at the location.
Police said the operation turned into a gun battle after a gang member identified as Kelechi, who allegedly travelled from Lagos and acted as a lookout, opened fire on the advancing operatives. Security personnel responded, killing Kelechi and another unidentified suspect during the exchange.
Following the operation, John-Paul and her twin sons were rescued unharmed and placed under protective custody before being reunited with their family.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects, identified as Semiu and Adeyemi, who allegedly assisted in securing and maintaining the hideout used by the kidnappers.
Police also recovered several items believed to have been used during the crime, including three pump-action guns, 14 live cartridges, an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used in the abduction, charms, a battle axe, a hammer, suspected hard drugs and two face masks.
The commissioner said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate who escaped during the operation, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
He appealed to hospitals, medical practitioners, traditional bone setters and other healthcare providers to report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot injuries.
Olugbenga reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that criminal elements would continue to be tracked down and prosecuted.
John-Paul and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, were abducted on June 3 while she was taking them to school along Elewura Street, off Ring Road in Ibadan.
Their rescue on Saturday night was welcomed by family members and residents across the state.
