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By Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected interstate child-stealing and human-trafficking syndicate, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects in an intelligence-led investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing at the Police State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
Olugbenga said the investigation followed a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of Sogade Area, Ariyo, Ibadan.
According to him, the petition initially centred on allegations of conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character before the investigation uncovered a much wider criminal network.
The matter was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3 for investigation.
During the probe, detectives discovered the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who went missing during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo town on June 29.
The Commissioner said digital evidence and other materials obtained from the event showed Popoola carrying the child shortly before both of them disappeared from the venue.
Popoola was subsequently arrested on August 4 and, according to the police, admitted leaving the festival with the missing child.
Her statement reportedly opened up a wider investigation into an organised network allegedly involved in the stealing, movement and sale of children.
The police said Popoola confessed to participating in the stealing of more than 15 children, aged between two and seven years, from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
She allegedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as one of her associates.
Janet was subsequently traced to Mowe, Ogun State, where four children, aged between two and four years, were rescued alongside two pregnant young women.
According to Olugbenga, Janet admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years and provided information on how some of the stolen children were kept while arrangements were allegedly being made for their sale.
Her information also helped detectives locate Ifakunle, who was eventually rescued on August 20 around the Gbagi area of Ibadan.
The investigation was later extended to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from their buyers on September 2.
Two suspects, identified as Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested in connection with the operation and allegedly confessed to involvement in the criminal enterprise.
The Police said the development further confirmed the interstate nature of the syndicate, with children allegedly moved out of Oyo State as part of the network’s activities.
The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the criminal operation.
The Commissioner said suspects told detectives that whenever a child died while in their custody, the body would allegedly be sold to ritualists.
This development, he said, led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist.
Both suspects have allegedly confessed to involvement in the use of victims for ritual purposes, according to the Police.
The Command said it had so far rescued 17 children, including an infant and children aged between two and seven years.
The rescued children were identified as Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; a nine-day-old infant; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Rejoice Divine, 3; Alhaji Divine, 5; Eniolorunda, 3; Victoria, 3; Isoma Prince, 3; Roqeeba, 4; Boluwatife Odedeyi, 3; and Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade, 7.
The Police also identified several other children whose cases are still under investigation, noting that some victims reportedly died while in the custody of their abductors.
The Commissioner appealed to parents and guardians who have lost children in recent times to visit the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families.
He said the Command was working with relevant security and government agencies to uncover the full structure of the alleged network, locate other missing children, investigate reported deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted.
Olugbenga also urged members of the public to report cases of missing children to the Police without delay.
He cautioned parents and guardians to exercise particular care when dealing with persons presenting themselves as traditional or spiritual healers, especially where such individuals seek to separate children from their families or take them to undisclosed locations.
The Commissioner assured members of the public that credible information supplied to the Police would be handled professionally and, where necessary, confidentially.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that suspects are brought to justice in accordance with the law.
