Nigeria Police Force has rescued the sister of Chief Adebayo Adelabu and her two children following an operation that led to the dismantling of a suspected kidnapping syndicate in Oyo.
The rescue operation, carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), took place on June 6, 2026, after security personnel tracked the suspects to a remote hideout through intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to police sources, the operation was coordinated using intelligence resources from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), which enabled investigators to trace the movement of the kidnappers and identify their location within days of the abduction.The victims, identified as Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, were rescued unharmed during the late-night operation.
Police said the rescue followed a tactical raid on the kidnappers’ hideout, where operatives engaged the suspects in a gun battle.
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Two suspected kidnappers were reportedly killed during the exchange, while several firearms and other items were recovered from the scene.
The successful operation has drawn attention to the Nigeria Police Force’s increasing reliance on intelligence-led policing and digital tracking technologies in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Since assuming office as Inspector-General of Police in February 2026, IGP Olatunji Rilwanu Disu has overseen several reforms aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering, operational coordination, and crime-fighting capabilities within the force.
One of the major reforms introduced under his leadership was the restructuring of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) to serve as a central intelligence hub for police operations across the country. The force also established a new management structure in March 2026 to improve operational efficiency and enhance coordination among commands.
Police officials say the reforms are intended to reduce response times, improve investigations, and strengthen the ability of security agencies to respond to emerging threats, particularly kidnapping and organized criminal activities.
Disu’s policing career includes leadership roles in several strategic units of the Nigeria Police Force. He previously served as commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and later headed the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), two units known for handling high-risk security operations.
He also served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, before his appointment as Inspector-General of Police.
Security analysts have linked the recent success of anti-kidnapping operations to the increased deployment of technology, digital intelligence tools, surveillance systems, and inter-agency collaboration.
Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms and coordinate operations across state boundaries, as criminal groups often move between jurisdictions to evade arrest.
The force added that it will continue to invest in officer training, intelligence gathering, and operational support as part of broader efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of violent crime nationwide.
The rescue of Adelabu’s relatives is being viewed as one of the most significant anti-kidnapping operations carried out in recent months and highlights the growing emphasis on intelligence-driven policing in the country’s security strategy.
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