The Oodua Peoples’ Congress has disassociated itself from suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mrs. John-Paul was abducted alongside her 12-year-old twin sons on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, after they were reportedly intercepted by armed men around 7:30 a.m. at the Elewura-Challenge area of Ibadan while she was taking the children to school.
They were later rescued on Saturday night, June 6, 2026.
Speaking during the organisation’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the OPC President Worldwide, Aare Prince Osibote, said the suspects arrested over the incident had no legitimate connection with the authentic OPC founded by the late Dr. Frederick Fasehun.
Osibote said the individuals were expelled from the organisation more than five years ago and now belong to an unauthorised breakaway faction.
“The criminal elements involved in this heinous crime were completely expelled from our organisation over five years ago. They do not represent us, they do not speak for us, and their unlawful actions have absolutely no bearing on the legitimate, authorised OPC,” he said.
The OPC leader explained that the organisation had carried out internal reforms aimed at removing unruly elements and restoring its founding principles.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as its swift response in arresting suspects connected to the abduction, but urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice.
Osibote also warned political actors, corporate bodies and community leaders against engaging unauthorised persons for security duties under the guise of the OPC.
He condemned what he described as the practice of recruiting individuals from the streets to perform security functions without official clearance from the authentic leadership of the organisation.
According to him, any deployment of OPC members for community policing or security operations must be done only after formal consultation and official recommendation through the office of the President Worldwide.
The group further issued a legal warning to breakaway factions and unauthorised groups using its name, logo or insignia.
The OPC said its official logo is a registered trademark protected under Nigerian law, warning what it called “copycat factions” to stop using the logo or any of its variations.
It urged corporate organisations, political leaders, community stakeholders and security agencies to deal only with the authentic leadership structure of the OPC led by Aare Prince Osibote.
