‘I never knew it would happen to me too’ — Adelabu’s mother recounts ordeal

Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adelabu, mother of former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu, has recounted the emotional pain of praying for abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, only to find herself facing a similar tragedy when her daughter and twin grandsons were kidnapped a day later.

The elderly woman shared her experience after the rescue of her daughter, Olaide Adegoke, and twin grandsons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted by gunmen in Ibadan on June 3.

Speaking in a video that surfaced on Sunday, Mrs. Adelabu expressed gratitude to God and security operatives for the safe return of her family members following a rescue operation that secured their freedom on Saturday.

“Olaide is my last child. I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to God for showing me mercy. I thank everyone who played a role in bringing them back safely,” she said.

Mrs. Adelabu said the incident was particularly painful because she had been deeply moved by the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area just a day before her own family members were taken.

“A day before my children were abducted, I cried bitterly when I saw the children who were kidnapped. I never imagined that the same thing would happen to my own family the next day,” she said.

Despite celebrating the release of her daughter and grandsons, she said her thoughts remained with other victims still in captivity, especially those abducted in Oriire.

She prayed for their safe return, expressing confidence that they would be reunited with their families just as her loved ones had been.

“The same God who rescued my children will rescue them too. They will come back home safely and unharmed,” she said.

Mrs. Adelabu also called for divine intervention to end the growing wave of kidnappings and insecurity across the country, urging prayers for Nigeria and its leaders.

The rescue of her family comes amid increasing concerns over insecurity in Oyo State following the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures.