Two Kidnappers Killed, Four Arrested While Rescuing Adelabu’s Sister – Police

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of Mrs. Busola Adegoke, sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons following their kidnap in Ibadan.

Police also disclosed that two suspected members of the kidnapping gang were killed during the operation, while four others were arrested.

Mrs. Adegoke and her 12-year-old sons, Peter and Paul, were kidnapped on the morning of June 3, 2026, while she was taking them to school in Ibadan.

The family was rescued unharmed on Saturday night during a joint operation by officers of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) and the Oyo State Police Command.

The operation took place in Ayegun, a community within Oluyole Local Government Area, where the victims were being held inside a three-bedroom house.

Speaking to journalists at the location, Oyo Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, said the rescue mission marked a major success for security agencies.

He said, “The Command wishes to inform members of the public of a major operational breakthrough culminating in the successful rescue of a kidnapped woman and her twin sons, the neutralisation of two armed kidnappers, the arrest of four other members and collaborators of the criminal syndicate, and the recovery of operational weapons, ammunition, vehicles and other exhibits used in the commission of the crime.”

According to the police commissioner, the investigation began immediately after the abduction was reported.

Acting on directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, security operatives launched an intelligence-driven search for those responsible.

Abimbola said the breakthrough came when officers arrested Wale Abolalewa, also known as “Oloro,” a suspect already known to law enforcement agencies for previous criminal activities.

“Acting on initial intelligence gathered from the crime scene and surrounding environment, operatives intensified surveillance activities, which led to the arrest of one Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as ‘Oloro,’ a suspect already on the Command’s watchlist for related criminal activities. His arrest provided a critical entry point into the wider network of the kidnapping syndicate.

“Building on this breakthrough, sustained interrogation and further intelligence-led investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Dare Oyedele, popularly known as ‘Solution,’ identified as a key operational link within the gang’s structure.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang had, in May 2026, attempted to recruit an insider within the victim’s household through one Segun, a staff member attached to the family.

“This formed part of a wider surveillance and reconnaissance plan during which the gang monitored the family’s movements, routines and the schools attended by the children.”

The Commissioner said further investigations revealed that the suspects later shifted from their initial target and proceeded with the abduction on June 3, 2026, using an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla.

“A detailed analysis of their digital footprints uncovered a structured surveillance operation, including photographs of the victim’s vehicles, the school environment, daily routines and lifestyle patterns, all used to profile and track the family prior to the attack.

“With these combined intelligence assets, operatives were able to positively identify the suspects’ hideout located in the Lado community, Ayegun, Ibadan,” he said.

Abimbola said on June 6, security personnel moved in on the location during a carefully planned operation aimed at rescuing the victims without harm.

Police said one of the suspects, identified as Kelechi, who had travelled from Lagos and was acting as a lookout, opened fire when officers approached

He said a gun battle followed, during which Kelechi and another gang member were killed.

“The operatives responded with superior tactical precision, resulting in the neutralisation of Kelechi and another unidentified member of the gang,” he said.

The commissioner said after securing the hideout, officers rescued Mrs. Adegoke and her sons unharmed, and were immediately taken into protective custody before being reunited with their family.

Abimbola said the two main suspects, Oloro and Solution, remain in custody and are providing information that could help authorities track down other members of the gang who escaped.

Two additional suspects accused of helping the gang secure and operate the hideout were also arrested. They were identified as Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35.

Items recovered from the suspects included three pump-action guns, an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the kidnapping, 14 live cartridges, charms, a battle axe, a hammer, and substances believed to be illegal drugs.

“Investigations are ongoing, with intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing suspects believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries sustained during the encounter with operatives,” he said.

The command urged hospitals, medical workers, traditional bone setters, and members of the public to report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious injuries, especially gunshot wounds.

Police assured that any information provided would be treated confidentially as efforts continue to dismantle the entire kidnapping network.

KanyiDaily had previously reported how Bayo Adelabu’s sister Busola Adegoke was kidnapped alongside her twin sons in Ibadan.