The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and the killing of two others during a rescue operation that secured the freedom of Busayo John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power and 2027 governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons.
The operation, carried out on Saturday night in the Ayegun area of Oluyole Local Government Area, followed days of intensive intelligence gathering and surveillance by security operatives. According to the Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, the rescue mission was launched after the police received credible intelligence that led operatives to a hideout where the victims were being held.
Speaking while conducting journalists around the location on Sunday, the police commissioner disclosed that the victims were rescued from a three-bedroom bungalow allegedly used by the kidnappers as a hideout. “The police acted on a tip-off, which eventually resulted in the rescue of the victims,” he said.
The operation reportedly lasted several hours and culminated in a fierce exchange of gunfire between security operatives and the suspects. During the confrontation, two suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while four others were arrested.
Police authorities also revealed that several members of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds and are currently being tracked by security agencies. Weapons recovered from the suspects include a pump-action gun and other firearms believed to have been used in their criminal operations. Busayo John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were abducted in the early hours of Wednesday in the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly travelling from their residence when armed men, who had allegedly trailed their vehicle, intercepted them at about 7:30 a.m. and forcefully whisked them away to an unknown destination. The abduction sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and prompted a coordinated response from security agencies determined to secure their safe return.
Following their rescue, Mrs John-Paul and her children have since been reunited with their family. The Oyo State Police Command assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate who remain at large.
