By DAYO ADESULU
Two Suspected Abductors Killed as Security Operatives Intensify Manhunt for Escaping Gang Members
The Nigeria Police Force has successfully rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power, , and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, following a coordinated rescue operation conducted on Saturday evening.
The victims were freed alive during a tactical operation carried out at approximately 7:30 p.m. on June 6, 2026, three days after they were abducted by armed kidnappers in Oyo State.
According to police sources, the rescue mission culminated in a fierce exchange of gunfire between security operatives and members of the kidnapping syndicate. During the confrontation, two suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while two firearms were recovered from the criminals.
Mrs. John-Paul and her twin sons had been kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. on June 3 while travelling to drop the children off at school. The incident triggered widespread concern among residents and prompted an intensive security operation aimed at locating the victims and dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
A senior police source disclosed that sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance efforts, and tactical pressure mounted on the kidnappers eventually forced them into a confrontation with security personnel, leading to the successful rescue of the captives.
“The victims were rescued alive and unharmed during the operation. Two members of the gang were killed in a gun duel with operatives, while weapons were recovered from the scene,” the source said.
Security agencies have since launched an expanded manhunt for other members of the gang who reportedly fled during the exchange of gunfire. Investigators believe some of the escaping suspects may have sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to evade arrest.
Police teams are currently combing nearby forests and communities as part of efforts to apprehend the fleeing criminals and prevent future kidnapping incidents in the area.
The successful operation has been welcomed as another major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and violent crime, particularly in regions where criminal gangs have increasingly targeted commuters, schoolchildren, and prominent individuals for ransom.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations remain ongoing and that all members of the syndicate will be tracked down and brought to justice.
