The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the safe rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted earlier in the week in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to an official statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the victims were freed on Saturday evening, June 6, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., following a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on June 3, 2026, while Mrs. John-Paul was driving her children to school in the early hours of the morning. Security sources said the kidnappers intercepted the vehicle and whisked them away to an undisclosed location.
Police authorities explained that sustained surveillance, tracking, and tactical pressure on the suspects eventually forced a confrontation between security operatives and the kidnappers, leading to a gun battle in which two suspects were killed.
Two firearms were also recovered during the operation. The rescued victims were later found unharmed and taken into protective custody for medical evaluation and psychological support.
In his reaction, the Inspector-General of Police commended the officers involved, describing their conduct as professional and courageous, while reaffirming the Force’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
Efforts are also ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the criminal gang believed to have escaped with injuries.
Mrs. John-Paul is reportedly the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.
The rescue operation came 3 days after the victims were abducted, marking a swift breakthrough by security forces.
However, the abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State remain in captivity for over 23 days since they were kidnapped from their learning environment (May 15), with no confirmed progress on their release.
At least one teacher has been killed since the attack with no updates on the whereabouts of the rest; alive or not.
Concerned Nigerians have called for the same level of effort to be put into securing the release of the children and their teachers in one piece.