Ibadan, Oyo State — The Oyo State Police Command has detailed how its operatives rescued sister of a former Minister of Power, and her 12-year-old twin sons.
The police also killed two suspected kidnappers, arrested four other members of the criminal syndicate, and recovered firearms, ammunition, operational vehicles, and other incriminating exhibits during a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan after a visit to the kidnappers’ den at Lakoun Community at Ayegun-Olomi area of Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, said that the operation was carried out jointly by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the Oyo State Police Command, and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the police, the victims—Mrs. Adegoke Olaide Busayo, 42, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul—were abducted on June 3, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m. along Elewura Street, Off Ring Road, Ibadan, while she was taking the children to school.
The kidnappers, said to be four armed men, reportedly carried out the operation using an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota vehicle.
Following a distress report, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, acting on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, ordered an immediate intelligence-driven manhunt for the perpetrators.
According to CP Abimbola, investigations initially led to the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” a suspect already on the Command’s watchlist for related criminal activities.
His arrest provided investigators with vital leads that exposed the wider kidnapping network.
Further interrogation and intelligence gathering resulted in the arrest of another key suspect, Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution,” who was identified as a major operational figure within the syndicate.
Police investigations, the CP said, revealed that the gang had, in May 2026, attempted to recruit an insider through a staff member attached to the victim’s family as part of efforts to monitor the family’s movements and daily routines.
Investigators also uncovered evidence showing that the suspects conducted extensive surveillance, including taking photographs of the family’s vehicles, the children’s school environment, and other lifestyle patterns before carrying out the abduction.
The intelligence gathered enabled operatives to trace the gang’s hideout to the Lado Community in Ayegun, Ibadan.
On June 6, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., a combined team of FID-IRT operatives and tactical units of the Oyo State Police Command stormed the location in a carefully planned rescue operation.
The police said one of the gang members, identified simply as Kelechi, who had reportedly travelled from Lagos State and was serving as a lookout, opened fire on the operatives upon sighting them.
A gun battle ensued, during which Kelechi and another unidentified suspect were neutralized.
Following the operation, Mrs. Adegoke and her twin sons were rescued unharmed and taken into protective custody before being reunited with their family.
Subsequent mop-up operations led to the detention of the two principal suspects, Abolalewa and Oyedele, who are currently assisting investigators with information aimed at tracking down other members of the gang.
The police also arrested two additional suspects alleged to have facilitated the use of the criminal hideout. They were identified as Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35.
Items recovered from the operation include three pump-action rifles, an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used for the abduction, 14 live cartridges, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs, and two face masks.
CP Abimbola stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, some of whom are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds sustained during the encounter.
The Oyo State Police Command commended the Inspector-General of Police for his strategic leadership and operational support, while also appreciating the Oyo State Government for its continued collaboration in strengthening security across the state.
It urged medical practitioners, private hospitals, traditional bone setters, and other healthcare providers to report anyone presenting with suspicious gunshot injuries or unusual medical cases to the nearest police station or security agency.
Residents were also advised to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities within their communities, emphasizing that timely and credible information remains crucial in combating crime.
The police boss reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property across Oyo State and vowed to relentlessly pursue all criminal elements until they are brought to justice.
