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By Oscar Okhifo
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons during a late-night operation in Oyo State, killing two suspected kidnappers and recovering firearms.
The victims, including the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had earlier been abducted alongside the twin boys in broad daylight in Ibadan, Oyo State, in what heightened concerns over rising cases of school-run kidnappings in the area.
According to police authorities, the rescue followed sustained intelligence-led tracking and tactical pressure on the kidnappers, which eventually forced them into a confrontation with operatives at their hideout.
“The rescue operation was the result of sustained intelligence-led tracking and coordinated tactical pressure on the kidnappers, which forced them into a confrontation with our operatives.
The victims were rescued unhurt,” a police source said.
During the exchange of gunfire, two suspected kidnappers were reportedly neutralised, while two firearms were recovered from the scene.
The victims were successfully rescued without injury.
Security operatives have intensified search operations across surrounding communities to apprehend fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate, some of whom are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained a persistent security challenge across Nigeria. Highways, peri-urban routes and residential corridors have increasingly been targeted by armed gangs.
Security agencies have in response intensified intelligence-led operations, surveillance, and coordinated raids aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks operating across forest belts and border communities.
These operations are often supported by tracking of communications and community-based intelligence, as authorities attempt to disrupt ransom negotiations and locate hideouts.
Despite these efforts, incidents continue to occur, prompting renewed calls for stronger policing presence, improved rapid response capacity, and closer collaboration between residents and security operatives in affected areas.