Nigerian Family Freed After Kidnapping, Thanks Police

One day after Madam Olufunmilayo Adelabu prayed for kidnapping victims in Oyo State, Nigeria, her daughter and twin grandsons were taken. Police rescued them safely, turning her nightmare into gratitude and renewed purpose.

The grandmother spoke to journalists at her home in Ibadan on Sunday, still emotional from the ordeal. She's the mother of former Nigerian Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, but the kidnapping reminded her that no family is immune to the country's security challenges.

"I was devastated when I heard what had happened," Madam Adelabu said. "It brought me to tears because no mother wishes to receive such frightening news about her children and grandchildren."

The timing struck her deeply. She had spent the previous day earnestly praying for victims already held captive in Oriire Local Government Area, asking God to bring them home safely.

"I never imagined that the very next day, my daughter and grandchildren would become victims of a similar incident," she told reporters. The experience transformed her from concerned observer to desperate family member in a single day.

Nigeria Police Force operatives worked to free her loved ones, and their efforts succeeded. Madam Adelabu thanked God first, then the security teams and government officials who supported the rescue.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story powerful isn't just the happy ending. It's what Madam Adelabu chose to do with her relief.

Despite being reunited with her family, she immediately turned her thoughts outward. "My joy will be complete when every victim still in captivity regains freedom and returns home safely to their loved ones," she said.

Her prayers now carry the weight of personal experience. She continues praying for the Oriire victims she originally interceded for, plus countless others facing similar terror across Nigeria.

She's calling for sustained security efforts to tackle kidnapping nationwide, expressing hope for lasting peace. Her message resonates because she's not just talking about problems anymore—she's speaking as someone who lived through the fear and came out grateful enough to think of others.

A grandmother's prayers became action, her relief became advocacy, and her personal rescue became a reminder that every family deserves the same safe ending.