POLICE operatives in Oyo State have killed two suspected kidnappers during a rescue operation aimed at securing the release of the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The victim, Busayo Adelabu-JohnPaul, along with her 11-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan last week.
Speaking to journalists, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed that the operation also led to the recovery of firearms, criminal charms, and an unregistered Toyota Corolla allegedly used by the suspects.
According to the police chief, the operation was carried out by personnel of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in collaboration with the Oyo State Police Command and other tactical units.
Olugbenga described the mission as a major breakthrough against a kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorizing parts of Ibadan and its environs.
He explained that the investigation began immediately after the abduction of Adelabu-JohnPaul and her children on June 3.
The victims were reportedly intercepted by four armed men travelling in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota vehicle along Elewura Street, off Ring Road, while the mother was taking her children to school.
Acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, security operatives launched an intelligence-driven manhunt, intensifying surveillance and tracking efforts to identify those responsible.
The breakthrough came with the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who was already on the police watchlist.
His arrest provided investigators with critical information that helped unravel the gang’s network.
Further investigations subsequently led to the identification and arrest of Dare Oyedele, also known as “Solution,” who police described as a key operative within the kidnapping syndicate.
Authorities say the operation represents a significant step in dismantling criminal networks involved in abductions across the state, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other members of the gang.
