Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
IBADAN, Nigeria – The camp of former Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has vehemently dismissed allegations linking his Personal Assistant, Mr. Ajiboye Sangogade, to the recent kidnapping of his younger sister and her twin sons, describing the claims as false, malicious and politically motivated. Mr. Femi Awogboro, a media aide to the former minister, warned those circulating the fabricated narrative to desist immediately or face legal action for defamation.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Mr. Awogboro insisted that Mr. Sangogade had no involvement whatsoever in the abduction of Mrs. Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the sister of the former minister, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul. The victims were abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, along Elewura-Challenge Road in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, while the mother was driving the children to school. They were rescued unharmed three days later on Saturday, June 6, following a coordinated security operation led by the Oyo State Police Command and the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).
Mr. Awogboro noted that at no point during the police investigation or the subsequent parade of suspects did the authorities mention the name of Ajiboye Sangogade as a suspect or person of interest. “The recent press statement and interview by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, concerning the kidnapping incident, exonerated Sangogade from the allegation as his name was never mentioned in the police briefing as part of the kidnapping syndicate,” the statement said. He challenged those spreading the rumour to point out where the police had linked the aide to the crime, insisting that the only name mentioned was “Segun,” who was described as a household staff member.
Mr. Awogboro accused those behind the false allegations of trying to tarnish the reputation of the former minister’s trusted aide for political gain. “Not everything should be politicised. Their lies and cooked-up stories have been exposed by the police account of the incident,” he said, citing a past smear campaign where it was falsely claimed that Mr. Sangogade was being positioned to secure the APC ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election.
The police investigation, however, presented a conflicting narrative on Monday, June 8, when the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ayanlade, alleged that a personal assistant attached to the family had conspired with the abductors. He identified the aide as “Shehu.” According to the police, the suspect was approached in May by one of the gang members, known as “Ololu,” to provide inside information on the family’s lifestyle, routine, and security arrangements. The suspects reportedly conducted surveillance on the victims, taking photographs of vehicles and school environments, and had attempted to recruit “Segun,” another household staff member, to their network.
Contrary to the denials, some reports indicated that the suspects arrested are associates of the ex-minister’s aide, Mr. Sangogade. A source told media outlets that investigators established that all the arrested suspects are “allies and boys linked to Ajiboye Sangogade.” In the wake of the kidnapping, the state government also ordered the demolition of the hideout used by the syndicate to send a strong message against criminality in the state.
Mr. Awogboro warned that any further attempt to tarnish Sangogade’s image and reputation would be met with legal action, and reiterated his unwavering support for the aide.
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