The Presidency on Sunday criticised those who questioned the quick rescue of Olaide Adegoke, the sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, saying such reactions undermine the efforts of security operatives.
Adegoke and her two children were abducted in Ibadan on June 3, 2026, before being rescued by security operatives on June 6. The release of the trio sparked debate on social media, with some Nigerians asking why the operation was concluded quickly while schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped last month in Oyo State remain in captivity.
Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, reacting through posts on his X handle, condemned those casting doubt on the rescue operation.
“If you find yourself unhappy about the rescue of a woman and her children and jump on every conspiracy to try and downplay the efforts of law enforcement, just know you’re already a terrorist,” he wrote.
“You may not be carrying weapons yet, but your mindset and theirs are essentially the same.”
The presidential aide also accused some critics of exploiting the kidnapping incident for political purposes rather than showing concern for victims of insecurity. He claimed that some people were more interested in scoring political points than celebrating the safe return of abducted citizens.
Olusegun also accused some commentators of showing little sympathy for other victims of kidnapping and instead using the incident to attack the government, saying such behaviour shows a lack of humanity and compassion.
In another reaction, he dismissed claims that supporters of President Tinubu’s administration behaved similarly while in opposition, adding that political differences should not lead people to celebrate the misfortune of others or diminish the significance of successful rescue operations.
“Never in our time in opposition did we celebrate gleefully and shamelessly the misfortunes of those who don’t agree with us. You lots are soulless, and your justification today for losing your humanity is that some people may have done it years ago,” he said.
