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| Oloro (left) and Solution. Photo: Facebook |
Suspected Kidnappers Reveal Roles in Abduction of Adelabu’s Sister and Twin Sons
Fresh details have emerged on the alleged abduction of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke, sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The suspects, who were arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) alongside tactical units of the Oyo State Police Command, reportedly played various roles in the kidnapping operation carried out on June 3.
Among those arrested are the alleged gang leader, Adewale Abolarinwa, popularly known as "Oloro"; Segun Balogun, alias "Alawaye"; and Dare Oyedele, also known as "Solution."
The victims were rescued last Saturday from a hideout in the Lako community along Ayegun-Olomi Road, Ibadan, following an operation reportedly ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to investigators, Balogun, a commercial driver at Iwo Road Motor Park, allegedly admitted to providing transportation for the gang during the operation. He claimed he had known Abolarinwa for more than a decade through the transport union before being recruited into the plot.
Balogun reportedly told investigators that Abolarinwa initially sought information about Adelabu's family and residence before revealing plans to kidnap either the former minister's mother or one of his relatives for ransom.
He alleged that the gang leader persuaded him to participate by promising financial rewards, assigning him the role of driver during the operation.
According to his statement, the abduction was executed on June 3 after a final briefing by the gang leader. Balogun said he drove the vehicle used in the operation while three other members, wearing masks, carried out the attack.
He further alleged that the gang intercepted the victims' vehicle, blocked its path, and forcibly moved Mrs. Adegoke and her children into their operational vehicle.
Another suspect, Oyedele, an automobile electrician operating around Orita Challenge and Podo areas of Ibadan, was alleged to have handled surveillance activities for the gang before the kidnapping.
Police sources disclosed that the group began monitoring the family's movements as early as May 5, tracking the twins' residence, school, and transportation arrangements.
Investigators also claimed that intercepted communications revealed detailed intelligence gathered about the family's routine and property.
Oyedele, 43, from Ishara Remo in Ogun State, reportedly admitted knowing Abolarinwa for about a year. He alleged that the gang leader, a former member of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), had previously been expelled from the group over kidnapping-related allegations.
According to Oyedele, Abolarinwa later recruited him into the gang and involved him in several movements before the abduction. He claimed that on June 2, the gang leader brought a Toyota Corolla containing two pump-action guns to his residence.
He further alleged that three members of the gang wore masks during the operation, while firearms and other weapons were used to intimidate the victims.
Police sources said investigations intensified after operatives traced Balogun through his association with the alleged gang leader. Officers reportedly became suspicious when he attempted to delete information from his mobile phone during questioning.
A subsequent examination of the device allegedly uncovered messages relating to the purchase of firearms. Although Balogun was initially arrested for questioning, police said his alleged role in the kidnapping became clearer following the arrest of Abolarinwa.
During the rescue operation, security operatives reportedly arrested several suspects and neutralised two others. Further investigations led officers to a property linked to Oyedele, where an additional pump-action gun was allegedly recovered, bringing the total number of firearms seized from the gang to three.
Police also claimed that several charms were recovered from Abolarinwa's possession and vehicle.
Sources close to the investigation said the alleged gang leader has remained largely silent since being paraded by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola.
Records indicate that Abolarinwa was previously paraded by the Oyo State Police Command in September 2022 alongside other suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate. He was subsequently arraigned and remanded in custody, although the circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear.
The police said investigations into the case are ongoing.