The Oyo State Police Command has alleged that a personal assistant attached to the family of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, played a key role in the abduction of the ex-minister’s sister and her twin sons in Ibadan.

The allegation was disclosed on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

The victims — Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul — were kidnapped on June 3 along the Elewura area of Ring Road, Ibadan, while she was taking the children to school.

They were later rescued unharmed during a coordinated police operation that reportedly led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of several accomplices.

According to Ayanlade, the operation was carried out under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and coordinated by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police alongside operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team.

He explained that one of the suspects, popularly known as Ololu, had already been on the police watch list before his eventual arrest.

“Of course, one of the perpetrators by name popularly called Ololu has been on the command watch list. The operatives continued to trail him until his eventual arrest on Thursday,” Ayanlade said.

Following Ololu’s arrest and interrogation, another suspect identified as Dare, also known as Solution, was apprehended in Ibadan.

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The police spokesman further alleged that the kidnapping plot began in May after one of the suspects allegedly approached a family aide identified as Shehu for confidential information about the family’s lifestyle and routine.

“The one who was with the family, who happened to be a personal assistant by name Shehu, was one of those who were picked,” Ayanlade stated.

“He was the one that was first approached by Daddy to give them inside information of how the family lives, their lifestyle, their routine, and all of that.”

According to the police, the kidnappers initially planned to abduct the mother of the family but later shifted focus to the children after observing that a driver usually transported them to school.

“Our initial plan was to kidnap the mother. However, they realised that it was the driver who usually takes them to school, and they changed their plan to go for the kids,” Ayanlade explained.

“Unfortunately for them, that day it was the mother who drove them to school, and they swung into action.”

The victims were eventually traced to a hideout in Ayegbule, Ibadan, on June 6 at about 7:30 p.m.

During the rescue operation, Ayanlade said one of the suspects, identified as Kelechi, allegedly opened fire on security operatives after travelling from Lagos to participate in the operation.

“They opened fire on the operatives, and then the operatives professionally and with tactical precision neutralised him and the second, who was also there to give a covering fire for him,” he said.

The police recovered weapons from the scene and successfully rescued the victims without injuries.

While responding to questions on whether the kidnapping was politically motivated or financially driven, Ayanlade said investigations were still ongoing and authorities would not rush to conclusions.

“We are still on the trail of the rest of them that escaped,” he stated, adding that all sponsors and collaborators connected to the crime would eventually be arrested and prosecuted.

“Whosoever is sponsoring them, whosoever is responsible, whatsoever connections they have, whosoever is involved in this, they all will be arrested, and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he added.