Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
IBADAN, Nigeria – The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has issued a forceful denial of what he describes as baseless and politically motivated allegations linking him to the recent abduction of the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons.
Alli’s denial is contained in a statement issued on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Ibadan, just hours after the victims – Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin boys, Peter and Paul – were rescued unharmed by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team. The senator, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District and has been at the centre of an increasingly bitter intra-party rivalry with the Adelabu family, described the rumours that surfaced in the early hours of Sunday as false, deceptive, and an orchestrated attempt to discredit him and destabilize the APC ahead of the 2027 election.
In his statement, Senator Alli described the publication as “irresponsible, defamatory, politically motivated and completely devoid of credibility.” He pointed out that social media reports tying him to the criminal act were based on unverified allegations allegedly made by a suspect under investigation, and that no security agency has established any link between him and the kidnapping. “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Alli has no connection whatsoever with the said criminal incident, the individuals mentioned, or any activity related to kidnapping or violence,” his media office added. Alli’s camp further accused political opponents of using the tragedy to connect his campaign materials and stickers to the suspects, calling it part of a desperate smear campaign.
He urged members of the public to disregard the rumours totally and called on security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to the abduction. He also demanded an investigation into the source of the rumour.
The senator’s denial comes against a backdrop of an intense political feud within the Oyo APC. Senator Alli recently emerged as the party’s governorship candidate after a high-level endorsement by party leaders, defeating former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who had also been a frontrunner. The political tension has been brewing for weeks, with Adelabu initially rejecting the consensus arrangement that produced Alli as the candidate. In a recent development, the Adelabu family expressed deep appreciation for the safe rescue of their abducted relatives and specifically praised the security forces for their professionalism, while remaining silent on the political finger-pointing.
The abduction occurred on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at about 7:30 am. The victims were abducted at Elewura-Challenge in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, where armed gunmen trailed the car from their home and intercepted the vehicle as Mrs. Adegoke was driving her sons to school. The Nigeria Police Force, acting on directives from the Inspector-General, launched a 72-hour intelligence-led operation. The breakthrough came with the arrest of a prime suspect, Wale Abolalewa, popularly known as “Oloro,” who was already on the Command’s watchlist. His arrest exposed the wider kidnapping network, leading to the arrest of three other suspects: Dare Oyedele (alias “Solution”), Hammed Ganiyu, and Idris Ojo. Investigations revealed that the kidnappers had monitored the family’s activities for weeks and had even attempted to recruit an insider connected to the household.
The rescue operation ended dramatically on Saturday evening, June 6, when security operatives stormed a hideout at Araromi Quarters, Ayegun North, in Oluyole Local Government Area. Two suspects were fatally shot during a gun battle, and two rifles were recovered. Police have also recovered three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, the unregistered vehicle used in the abduction, and other incriminating items. Despite the successful rescue of the three victims, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola, confirmed that security operations are still ongoing to track down fleeing members of the syndicate.
Meanwhile, Senator Alli has maintained his focus on his gubernatorial campaign. Just hours before issuing the denial, he attended a special thanksgiving service at a church in Ibadan, where he pledged to govern the state with the fear of God and a people-centred approach if elected in the 2027 election.
As political tensions simmer ahead of the 2027 polls, the Oyo State Police Command has urged the public to disregard misinformation and called on citizens to provide useful information to aid the arrest of fleeing criminals.
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