IBADAN — Armed gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday abducted Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power and Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

The attackers also kidnapped her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. while Mrs. John-Paul was driving her children to school in the Oyo State capital.

In an official statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the Adelabu family confirmed that all relevant law enforcement agencies had been notified and have launched preliminary investigations.

"Security operatives have swung into action," said Comrade Femi Awogboro, media aide to Chief Adelabu. "Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime."

Mrs. John-Paul, 43, is a high-profile professional who recently took voluntary retirement after a meritorious career at both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank Pension Custodian.

Family sources revealed she had recently relocated to Ibadan with her children. She was making final arrangements to join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who lives in the United States of America.

The family described Chief Adelabu and the entire household as "deeply distressed" but expressed confidence in the capacity of security agencies to bring their loved ones home safely.

The statement strictly appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified rumors.

"The family respectfully appeals to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardize ongoing security operations," Awogboro stated.

The family has urged anyone with actionable intelligence to report it immediately to the police, promising to issue updates as the situation develops.