Police Apprehend Four Over Abduction of Ex-Minister Adelabu's Sister, Sons

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the successful arrest of four individuals in connection with the recent abduction of Mrs. Adegoke Olaide Busayo, the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, Paul and Peter. The abduction occurred on June 3 in the Challenge area of Ibadan while Mrs. Busayo was taking her sons to school. Fortunately, the trio was rescued from their captors' hideout on June 6. According to a statement by the command's spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the police acted on initial intelligence gathered from the crime scene and its surroundings, leading to the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, also known as 'Oloro', a suspect who was already on the police watchlist for similar criminal activities. Abolalewa's arrest paved the way for the apprehension of Dare Oyedele, known as 'Solution', who was identified as a key figure in the kidnapping gang. Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang had attempted to recruit an insider within the victim's household in May 2026, as part of their surveillance plan. The gang monitored the family's movements, routines, and the schools attended by the children. Further investigation showed that the suspects later changed their initial target and proceeded with the abduction on June 3, using an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla. A detailed analysis of the suspects' digital footprints uncovered a structured surveillance operation, including photographs of the victim's vehicles, school environment, daily routines, and lifestyle patterns. The police were able to identify the suspects' hideout located at Lado community, Ayegun, Ibadan, and during a raid on June 6, one of the gang members, 'Kelechi', who had travelled from Lagos State, engaged the operatives in a gun duel. The operatives responded, resulting in the neutralization of Kelechi and another gang member. The kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their family. Two principal suspects, Wale Abolalewa and Dare Oyedele, are in custody and assisting investigators. Two other suspects, Semiu Ishola and Adeyemi Ayobami, who were responsible for contracting and facilitating the use of the hideout, were also arrested. Items recovered from the gang include pump-action guns, live cartridges, a battle axe, a hammer, and substances suspected to be hard drugs.