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Mrs Olufunmilayo Adelabu, mother of former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu, has stated that she wept over news of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State on June 2, only to have her own daughter and twin grandsons kidnapped the following day.
Mrs Adelabu made the remarks in a video circulated by Oyo Affairs on Sunday following the rescue of her daughter, Olaide Adegoke, and her 12-year-old twin grandsons, Peter and Paul.
The three family members were abducted by armed men in Ibadan on Tuesday, June 3, 2026. Police rescued them on Saturday night in an operation that reportedly resulted in the deaths of two suspected kidnappers.
Speaking after their return, Mrs Adelabu expressed gratitude for the release of her relatives.
“Olaide, Peter’s mother, is my daughter, my last-born. I am very happy, very happy. I give thanks to God for the mercy bestowed upon me,” she said.
“That I cried and saw helpers, and saw that my children were rescued unhurt; that my children came home in peace, and I can see all three of them. I thank all those involved in ensuring they were released.”
She stated that the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15 had affected her deeply.
“A day before my children’s incident, I wept bitterly when I saw those children on the phone, without knowing it would happen to me too the following day,” she said.
Mrs Adelabu said she continued to think about other victims still in captivity, particularly those abducted in Oriire.
“May God release them from captivity. I prayed for them too, just as I prayed for my children over the past five days,” she said.
“The God who freed my children from bondage will free others too. None of them will die there. They will all come home safely.”
She also offered prayers for Nigeria and its leaders.
“God will help stop such occurrences in Nigeria. God will help the government and Nigeria.”
The rescue of the Adelabu family occurred in the face of a series of kidnapping incidents across the country. On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting approximately 39 pupils and seven teachers, a total of 46 victims. One teacher has died in captivity. The victims have spent more than three weeks in captivity.
