The Nigeria Police Force has rescued the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, three days after they were abducted by gunmen in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The victims, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her sons, Peter and Paul, were freed unharmed during a coordinated rescue operation carried out on Saturday evening by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).
Police authorities said the operation culminated in a gun battle between security operatives and members of the kidnapping gang, during which two suspected kidnappers were killed.
Two firearms were also recovered from the suspects, while a manhunt has been launched for other members of the syndicate who escaped from the scene.
According to the police, the successful rescue followed days of intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance and tactical operations aimed at locating the victims and tracking the movement of their captors.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Okon Placid, the police disclosed that sustained intelligence efforts enabled operatives to identify the kidnappers’ location and confront them during the rescue mission.
The statement noted that preliminary intelligence suggests some fleeing suspects sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and are currently being tracked by security agencies.
“Operations are ongoing to locate and apprehend all members of the criminal gang involved in the abduction,” the police said.
Mrs John-Paul and her children were abducted at about 7:30 a.m. on June 3 while she was taking the twins to school in Ibadan.
The incident attracted national attention after it emerged that the victims were close relatives of Adelabu, a former Minister of Power and prominent political figure in Oyo State.
Their rescue brings to an end a tense three-day search operation that involved intelligence-led investigations and coordinated security actions.
The Inspector-General of Police commended the operatives involved in the mission, praising their professionalism, courage and determination in securing the victims’ safe release.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country, while assuring Nigerians that efforts would continue until all members of the kidnapping network are arrested and prosecuted.
The police also expressed appreciation to members of the public who provided information and support during the operation.
