Olufunmilayo Aduke Adelabu, mother of a former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed gratitude to those who played a role in securing the release of her daughter, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her grandchildren.

Recall that on Wednesday kidnappers waylaid Mrs John-Paul while driving her twin sons to school in the Elewura Street off Ring Road area of Ibadan, Oyo State, forced them into their car and drove away. 

Mrs Adelabu, in a video on Sunday, thanked God and those who contributed to their rescue, noting that she was happy to receive the victims alive.

She said that she was distressed by the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, adding that she never imagined that her own family would later experience same ordeal.

“The mother of Peter and Paul is my daughter. She is my last born. I am so happy. I thank God for the huge mercy and favour bestowed on me, over my tears and the help that came my way. For pacifying me, for the safe rescue of my children, for seeing the three of them and not losing any. I thank God and all the people God used,” she said. 

Mrs Adelabu stated, “As I was praying for the rescue of my children since Wednesday, it was the same way I was praying for the rescue of those abducted before the incident involving my children. I cried bitterly when I saw the video of those abducted earlier before my daughter and her sons’ abduction, not knowing my own trouble was to come the morning of the next day.”

She stated that the incident occurred while her daughter, Ms John-Paul, was taking her children to school, and whisked away.by the gunmen.

“My daughter was taking the children to school that day. They were waylaid nearby and abducted by gunmen,” she said.

She prayed for the safe rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted on Friday, May 15 in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, and end to similar insecurity.

Mrs Adelabu said, “God, who liberated and rescued my children, will rescue those remaining in captivity. None of them will die. They will all use their legs to walk home. God will help put a stop to this kind of incident.

“He will give us good government. He will help us fix our country. He will take control of our government. He will be our backbone. God will guide our leaders, teach them and guide them rightly at all times. I pray this occurrence won’t happen to anyone else.”

Earlier, the Peoples Gazette reported that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force rescued Mrs John-Paul and her twin sons on Saturday.

A statement by the Force spokesman, Anthony Placid, disclosed that the victims were rescued during a coordinated operation by the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

“The rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations. These efforts enabled investigators to track the kidnappers’ movements, resulting in a confrontation with FID-IRT operatives,” it said.

“During the confrontation, two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded and two rifles were recovered. The victims were rescued unharmed and are now in safe custody, receiving medical care and support,” the force stated.