The Oyo State Police Command has disclosed how a kidnapping syndicate planned and carried out the abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons.
According to the police, the suspects spent weeks gathering intelligence on the family’s daily activities, including their movements, routines and the schools attended by the children. Investigators also discovered that the gang attempted to recruit a household staff member as part of its preparations.
Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, told journalists in Ibadan on Sunday that the victims—42-year-old Olaide Busayo Adegoke and her 11-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul—were kidnapped on June 3 while on their way to school.
The abduction occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Elewura Street, off Ring Road in Ibadan, when four armed men driving an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla intercepted the family and forced them into the vehicle.
Mr Olayinka said investigations showed that the operation was carefully planned rather than opportunistic. In May, the syndicate allegedly sought to infiltrate the family’s inner circle by attempting to recruit a staff member identified as Segun.
Investigators later recovered digital evidence indicating that the suspects had photographed the family’s vehicles, the school environment and other aspects of their daily lives while preparing for the kidnapping.
The police launched an intelligence-led operation immediately after receiving a distress report. Acting on directives from the Inspector-General of Police, officers from the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the Oyo State Police Command and other tactical units worked together to locate the victims and identify those responsible.
A breakthrough came with the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who was already on the police watchlist for related criminal activities. His arrest led investigators to another suspect, Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution.”
Information obtained during the investigation helped operatives trace the gang’s hideout to the Lado Community in the Ayegun area of Ibadan.
Police said a rescue operation was launched on June 6 at about 7:30 p.m. During the raid, a gang member identified as Kelechi, who had reportedly travelled from Lagos to participate in the operation, opened fire on security personnel.
The officers returned fire, resulting in a gun battle during which Kelechi and another unidentified suspect were killed.
Mrs Adegoke and her two sons were rescued unharmed and taken into protective custody before being reunited with their family.
The operation also led to the recovery of three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, the Toyota Corolla allegedly used in the kidnapping, a battle axe, a hammer, face masks, suspected hard drugs and charms.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds sustained during the operation.
The command urged hospitals, medical personnel and traditional bone setters to report individuals seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot injuries, saying such information could assist in tracking down the remaining suspects.
