Fresh details have emerged on the alleged operation that led to the abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons in Ibadan, revealing what investigators describe as weeks of planning, surveillance and coordinated execution.
The suspects, who have since been arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) alongside tactical units of the Oyo State Police Command, allegedly played different roles in a kidnap operation that police say began long before the victims were taken.
The victims — Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke and her twin sons — were rescued last Saturday from a hideout in Lako community along Ayegun-Olomi Road in Ibadan following a security operation reportedly carried out on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Among those arrested were the alleged gang leader, Adewale Abolarinwa, also known as Oloro; Segun Balogun, known as Alawaye; and Dare Oyedele, popularly called Solution.
The Question That Started It All
According to one of the suspects, what appeared like an ordinary conversation eventually turned into an alleged kidnap plan.
Balogun, a commercial driver operating around Iwo Road Motor Park in Ibadan, allegedly told investigators that he had known the suspected gang leader for over a decade through transport union activities.
He claimed Oloro later approached him with unusual questions.
According to his account, the suspect asked whether Adelabu’s mother was still alive and where she lived.
Balogun said he provided the information and later took him to the location.
What came next, according to his statement, shocked him.
He alleged that the gang leader revealed plans to kidnap either a member of the family or a child connected to them.
Balogun claimed financial hardship became the pitch used to recruit him.
According to his account, he was promised payment and accepted a role in the operation as the driver.
Surveillance, Tracking and Weeks of Preparation
Investigators said the alleged operation did not happen suddenly.
Police sources claimed the group began preparations around May 5 and spent weeks gathering information.
According to findings, the suspects allegedly monitored:
- The compound where the twins lived
- The school attended by the children
- The vehicle routinely used by the family
- Movement patterns and timing
Another suspect, Dare Oyedele, also known as Solution, was accused of helping gather intelligence.
According to police sources, intercepted communications showed detailed discussions about the family’s movements and environment.
Investigators claimed messages exchanged among suspects included observations about the school environment and other details allegedly used to prepare for the operation.
The Day the Operation Allegedly Happened
Balogun claimed the final instruction came one day before the abduction.
According to his statement, he was informed that the operation would proceed.
He alleged that four people occupied the operational vehicle.
According to his account, once the targeted vehicle was identified, he was instructed to follow and later block it.
He claimed masked men then approached and moved the woman and children into another vehicle.
Another suspect, Solution, allegedly told investigators that weapons were already inside a Toyota Corolla used during movements connected to the operation.
He claimed that during the operation:
- Three suspects wore masks
- Two suspects carried pump-action guns
- Another carried an axe
According to his account, the side glass of the victims’ vehicle was broken before the victims were moved.
How Police Say the Case Began to Unravel
Police sources said early suspicion reportedly fell on Balogun because of his known association with the alleged gang leader.
According to investigators, operatives noticed unusual activity while speaking with him.
Authorities claimed he attempted to remove information from his phone.
Further examination allegedly uncovered communications linked to weapons discussions involving the suspected gang.
His arrest reportedly opened a path that later led investigators to other suspects.
Police said rescue operations led to multiple arrests, while two suspects were reportedly neutralised.
Investigators also claimed a search connected to Solution led to the recovery of another pump-action gun, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to three.
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Authorities further alleged that charms were recovered from the vehicle linked to the suspected gang leader.
Questions Around a Familiar Name
Police sources also pointed to the alleged criminal history of the suspected gang leader.
Oloro had reportedly been publicly paraded by the Oyo State Police Command in September 2022 after being arrested alongside other individuals over alleged kidnapping and vehicle theft.
He was later arraigned and remanded.
However, questions remain over how he allegedly returned to public life before being linked to the latest case.
Authorities have not publicly clarified those circumstances.
Meanwhile, police say investigations remain ongoing as efforts continue to establish the full network and determine whether additional suspects were involved.
The case has once again renewed conversations around organised kidnapping networks, repeat offenders and the growing sophistication of criminal operations in parts of the country.