A wave of shock has gripped Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power and APC governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, alongside her twin sons.

The victims Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin boys, Peter and Paul  were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday morning in the Challenge area of Ibadan.

According to a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. while the victims were on their way to school when armed gunmen intercepted their vehicle and forcefully abducted them.

Mrs. John-Paul, 43, is said to be the youngest of five children in the Adelabu family and a former financial sector professional who previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian before retiring. She had reportedly recently relocated to Ibadan while making plans to join her husband in the United States.

Security agencies have since been alerted, with coordinated rescue operations underway to track down the abductors and secure the release of the victims. The family said it is cooperating fully with investigators and urged the public to avoid speculation that could interfere with ongoing efforts.

The incident has further heightened concerns over insecurity in Oyo State, which has recorded a series of abductions in recent months, including attacks on students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

Reacting to the development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the incident as evidence of the worsening security situation in the country. He expressed solidarity with the Adelabu family and called for urgent action to dismantle kidnapping networks operating nationwide.

Atiku also criticised what he described as inadequate government response to rising insecurity, urging authorities to adopt stronger intelligence-driven strategies, ensure the safe rescue of the victims, and prosecute those responsible.