The sister of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.

An eyewitness told PUNCH Online that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the incident in a statement, one of the media aides to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said, “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

“Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.

“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.”

“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.

“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement read.

The family, therefore, appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations.

It also solicited prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.

The family further urged anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.

The statement added, “The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold.

No fewer than 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December, 2025.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.

“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness

Reacting in a text sent to Crime Reporters Oyo platform, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”

Tragedy truck in Wula, in Eastern Boki, Boki local government area of Cross River state when a pastor allegedly beat a 14-year-old girl, Nancy Peter to death.

The Incident sparked outrage after allegations that she was first beaten by her mother and later flogged by a pastor over claims of theft.

In a statement by the Cross River State Police Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, he disclosed that preliminary findings indicate that the victim, identified as Miss Nancy Peter, was first assaulted by her mother, Mrs. Agnes Peter, 45, before being taken to Pastor Samson Roman Dago, 43, who allegedly subjected her to further corporal punishment with a cane.

He said a full-scale investigation has begun to really establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the involvement of all those linked to the tragedy.

The command also dismissed, for now, social media claims that the girl was sexually assaulted, saying no evidence had been found to support such allegations.

It added that medical examinations and other investigative steps were ongoing.

Some village sources said the teenager became unconscious after the beating and was rushed to a medical facility in Wula Community, where doctors confirmed her dead on arrival.

Vanguard gathered that the community has now been left in shock, as the death has revived painful concerns about the dangers of corporal punishment and the need for greater child protection.

A child rights advocates, James Ibor esq, and principal Counsel at Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, ( BRCI)said that physical punishment does not correct children; it scars them, deepens fear, and can lead to irreversible harm.

“It is reprehensible and heartbreaking , that in 2026 this kind of barbaric act will still be happening, after the child rights act was passed since 2023.

“I’m calling on the Commissioner for police not to allow this girl’s murder to go unpunished , neither should it be forgotten like other murders of this nature.

“A child should never be disciplined to the point of collapse. This is a tragedy that should never have happened, the police must do everything possible to ensure the girl get’s justice , it is a sad development, ibor said.

Members of the Take-It-Back Movement on Monday staged a protest at Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan, Oyo State, over the kidnapping of students and teachers by terrorists in the Oriire Local Government Area.

Some of the protesters were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions while expressing outrage at the worsening insecurity in the state which they said is affecting residents, farmers, traders and students.

Some of the placards read, “Security for all, not for a few,” “Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State,” “We demand safer roads and communities,” “Protect farmers, traders and students,” and “Peace, security and justice.”

Speaking during the protest, one of the protesters said Nigerians were becoming increasingly frustrated by the persistent security challenges confronting the country.

“Let them know that the people of Nigeria are not at peace. Let them know that the people of Oyo State are not smiling. Let them know that the Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity,” the protester said.

The protest comes amid the growing outrage over the continued stay of the victims in the terrorists camp two weeks after they were kidnapped from their schools in the Ahoro-Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area.

The protesters, who converged on the busy junction in the state capital, called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and address the rising cases of kidnapping across Oyo State.

Governor Seyi Makinde had visited the community on Saturday assuring the families of the victims that his administration will take all the necessary steps within the law to secure their release from the terrorists’ den.

Makinde gave the assurance during a visit to Ahoro-Esiele community, where he met with affected families, community leaders, and residents at the open field of L.A. Basic School.

Speaking at the meeting, the governor said the state government shared the pain and concerns of the families and remained fully committed to ensuring the victims’ safe return.

“I understand the pain and anxiety that many of you are experiencing at this moment. As your government, we share your concerns, and we are fully committed to securing the safe return of our children and their teachers,” he said.

On Sunday, a delegation of the federal government of Nigerian led by the Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila visited the community to assess the situation and speak with families and community members.