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Police release details of Oyo State kidnap gang
Oyo State Police Command has disclosed details of the operation that led to the rescue of the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, following their abduction in Ibadan.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said two suspected kidnappers were killed while four others were arrested during a raid on the gang’s hideout in the Lado area of Ayegun, Ibadan, on June 6.
The victims, Mrs. Adegoke Olaide Busayo, 42, and her 11-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, were abducted on June 3 along Elewura Street, off Ring Road, Ibadan. According to police, four armed men travelling in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Camry intercepted the family while they were being driven to school.
Police investigations revealed that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), working alongside officers of the Oyo State Command, tracked the kidnappers through intelligence gathering and arrests.
The breakthrough came with the arrest of Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who had reportedly been on a police watchlist for similar criminal activities. His interrogation led investigators to another suspect, Dare Oyedele, alias “Solution,” identified as a key member of the kidnapping syndicate.
According to the police, the gang had been monitoring the family’s movements since May 2026, gathering information on their vehicles, school routes and daily activities. Investigators said the suspects initially considered another target before eventually carrying out the abduction using an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla.
Acting on intelligence, tactical operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout at about 7:30 p.m. on June 6. During the operation, a suspect identified as “Kelechi,” who had reportedly travelled from Lagos to serve as a lookout, opened fire on security operatives.
Police said officers responded with superior firepower, killing Kelechi and another unidentified gang member. The victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their family.
Two additional suspects, identified as Semiu Ishola, 39, and Adeyemi Ayobami, 35, were also arrested for allegedly providing shelter for the kidnappers.
Items recovered from the hideout included three pump-action guns, 14 live cartridges, the Toyota Corolla allegedly used in the operation, two face masks, a battle axe, a hammer, suspected hard drugs and a criminal charm.
The police said Oloro and Solution are currently assisting investigators in efforts to apprehend other members of the gang believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
The command appealed to hospitals, clinics and traditional bone setters to report any individuals seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot injuries. Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and report unusual movements or activities to security agencies.
Emergency contact numbers provided by the command include the toll-free line 615, as well as 08081768614 and 07055495413.