The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has disclosed how intelligence gathering and technical surveillance led to the rescue of Mrs. Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, younger sister of former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons from their abductors’ hideout on the outskirts of Ibadan.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday at Araromi Quarters, Lakoun Community Estate, Ayegun-Olojuoro area of Oluyole Local Government Area, where the victims were rescued, the police commissioner said the breakthrough followed sustained intelligence efforts after the abduction.
“After the incident on the 3rd of this month, we had technical intelligence and based on that, we made follow-up, which resulted in this operation,” Olugbenga said.
He explained that the victims, who were abducted from the city, were secretly transported to a three-bedroom bungalow allegedly used by the kidnappers as a detention centre to prevent anyone from knowing their whereabouts.
“You have seen it all. They were kidnapped from the town and driven down here to hide them so that nobody would know the whereabouts of the victims,” he said while conducting journalists around the premises.
Olugbenga expressed concern that suspicious movements around the property allegedly went unreported despite the fact that it was located within a residential environment.
“You have seen that this house is within a premises. People have been seeing them coming in here without anybody reporting the conduct,” he said.
According to him, preliminary findings from individuals interviewed by investigators indicated that unusual activities around the compound had been noticed before the police raid.
“According to those we have interviewed, they said they would hear what was happening in the other compound, but they could not come out,” he stated.
The police boss urged residents across the state to become more vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
“Obviously, what is there is that if you see something, you say something. If they had done that earlier, maybe we would have been able to arrest them before now,” he said.
He added: “When residents have any idea of sinister activities around them, they should report to the security agencies so that we can take necessary action.”
Police sources disclosed that the intelligence-led operation, which lasted several hours on the night of Friday, June 5, resulted in a fierce exchange of gunfire during which two suspected kidnappers were killed.
Four other suspects were arrested at the scene, while some members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
The command also recovered firearms and other items believed to have been used by the suspects in carrying out their operations, including a pump-action shotgun.
Responding to questions on speculations that the abduction may have been politically motivated because of Adelabu’s political profile, Olugbenga said investigations were still ongoing.
“We are still investigating,” he said.
On the legal implications for the property allegedly used as a kidnappers’ hideout, the commissioner said government authorities would determine the next course of action.
“The public should expect that the government will take a decisive decision as regards this question,” he stated.
Olugbenga also dismissed rumours suggesting that any external group participated in the rescue mission, saying: “I am not aware of that.”
Mrs. Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons were abducted in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Elewura Street in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State before being rescued during the police operation on Friday night.
