Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, after their abduction in Ibadan, Oyo State

The victims were freed alive during a coordinated operation on Saturday after sustained intelligence-led tracking of the kidnappers’ movements by police operatives.

Security sources said the abductors abandoned the victims and fled when operatives closed in on their hideout.

The rescued woman and her twin sons were immediately taken into protective custody for medical checks and psychological support.

A senior police source described the operation as intelligence-driven and swift.

“It was an intelligence-led operation. Once the location was confirmed, our operatives moved in swiftly, and the pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee,” the source said.

The source added that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network behind the attack.

A family associate also confirmed that the victims are safe and in stable condition.

“We are grateful to God and to the security operatives for bringing them back alive. It has been a very difficult period for the family, but we are relieved they are safe,” the associate said.

Meanwhile, public reaction has been mixed, with some Nigerians expressing cautious relief while urging clarity on the exact circumstances of the release.

“We hope it was truly a rescue. We hope we won’t later hear that ransom was paid. Many times, we have heard the word ‘rescue,’ only for families to later contradict and provide evidence of ransom payment,” Muyiwa, a resident of Bodija-Ibadan said.

Mrs. John-Paul and her twin sons were recently abducted in a brazen attack during a school-run movement in Ibadan, when armed men intercepted their vehicle and whisked them away to an undisclosed location.

The incident sparked widespread outrage and renewed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings in parts of Oyo State and other neighbouring corridors, with calls for stronger security presence and improved protection of vulnerable road routes.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects and uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident.