Adelabu’s Mother Recounts Tears Over Oriire Pupils Before Daughter’s Abduction

Mrs Olufunmilayo Adelabu, mother of a former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has narrated how she wept over the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, only for her own daughter and twin grandsons to be kidnapped the following day.

Naija News reports that Adelabu spoke in a viral video posted by Oyo Affairs on Sunday after the safe rescue of her last daughter, Olaide Adegoke, and her twin sons.

Olaide and the children were abducted by gunmen on Tuesday, June 3, 2026, in Ibadan.

They were rescued unharmed on Saturday night by police operatives during an operation in which two suspected kidnappers were neutralised.

Speaking with relief, Mrs Adelabu expressed gratitude to God and those who helped secure the release of her family members.

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

“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.”

‘I Wept For Abducted Schoolchildren’

Mrs Adelabu also spoke about the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire LGA days before her daughter’s ordeal.

“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.

She prayed for the release of other victims still in captivity.

“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 prayed for the country and the government.

She further stated, “God will help stop such occurrences in Nigeria. God will help the government and Nigeria.”

The rescue of the Adelabu family came amid a wave of kidnapping incidents in the country.

The abduction in Oriire, involving more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers, has sparked outrage and renewed concern over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, especially in rural and semi-urban communities.