Adelabu’s mother: “I cried for abducted students, not knowing it would happen to me too.”

Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adelabu, mother of former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu, recounted the emotional ordeal she endured after praying for abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, only to have her own daughter and twin grandsons kidnapped the following day.

Mrs. Adelabu shared the experience in a viral video circulated by Oyo Affairs on Sunday after the rescue of her last daughter, Olaide Adegoke, and her twin grandsons.

The family members were abducted by armed men in Ibadan on Tuesday, 3 June 2026, and were freed on Saturday night after a police rescue operation that reportedly neutralised two suspected kidnappers.

Speaking after their safe return, Mrs. Adelabu expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of her loved ones.

“Olaide, Peter’s mother, is my daughter, my last born. I am very happy, very happy. I give thanks to God for the mercy bestowed upon me,” she said.

“That I cried and saw helpers, and saw that my children were rescued unhurt; that my children came home in peace, and I can see all three of them. I thank all those involved in ensuring they were released.”

The elderly woman revealed that the ordeal struck especially hard because she had been deeply affected by the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area just a day earlier.

“A day before my children’s incident, I wept bitterly when I saw those children on the phone, without knowing it would happen to me too the following day,” she said.

Despite celebrating her family’s release, Mrs. Adelabu said her thoughts remained with other victims still being held captive, particularly those abducted in Oriire.

“May God release them from captivity. I prayed for them too, just as I prayed for my children over the past five days. The God who freed my children from bondage will free others too. None of them will die there. They will all come home safely,” she said.

She also offered prayers for Nigeria and its leaders amid growing concerns over insecurity.

“God will help stop such occurrences in Nigeria. God will help the government and Nigeria.”

The rescue of the Adelabu family comes against the backdrop of a recent surge in kidnapping incidents across the country.

The abduction of more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area had triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about security in parts of Oyo State, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities.

Vanguard News

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