The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Busayo John-Paul, and her twin sons.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed this during an inspection of the kidnappers’ hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, in Oluyole Local Government Area. He said the operation followed the rescue of Mrs John-Paul and her children, who were abducted in Ibadan on June 3.
Olugbenga said the rescue was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the Oyo State Police Command and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force. He added that investigations and security operations linked to the case were still ongoing.
According to him, the victims were abducted at about 7:30 a.m. while Mrs John-Paul was taking her children to school along Elewura Street, off Ring Road, Ibadan.
Following the report, the Commissioner said the Command launched an intelligence-led manhunt on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, leading to the deployment of specialised tactical and intelligence teams.
He said the operation led to the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro”, who was already on the Command’s watchlist, adding that his arrest exposed the wider kidnapping network.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Dare Oyedele, alias “Solution”, who was identified as another member of the gang.
Police investigations showed that the kidnappers allegedly monitored the family’s activities for weeks before carrying out the abduction. Investigators also uncovered evidence of attempts to recruit an insider connected to the household.
Olugbenga said intelligence gathered from the suspects and digital evidence led operatives to the gang’s hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North. He said the location was raided on June 6 during a coordinated rescue mission.
“Upon sighting the operatives, one of the gang members identified as Kelechi, who was serving as a lookout for the gang, opened fire on the police team. Our operatives responded professionally and successfully neutralised him and another unidentified member of the syndicate,” he said.
The Commissioner said the victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their family after the operation.
He also announced the arrest of two additional suspects, Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35, who allegedly helped provide the hideout and supported the gang’s activities.
Items recovered from the suspects included three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the abduction, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs and two face masks.
Olugbenga said some gang members escaped during the operation and may have sustained gunshot injuries. He appealed to residents, hospitals, healthcare workers and traditional bone setters to report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot wounds.
“We urge members of the public to be vigilant and security conscious. Residents should report suspicious persons, strange movements, and unusual activities within their communities. Information from the public remains critical to crime prevention and successful law enforcement operations,” he said.
The police commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police for his support and also thanked the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with security agencies.
He assured residents that the Command would continue efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and ensure all those involved in the abduction are prosecuted.
Kemi Olaitan
Follow us on: