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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected child-stealing and human-trafficking syndicate operating across state lines, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects in an intelligence-led investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, disclosed this on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a press briefing at the Police State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to the Commissioner, the investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of Sogade Area, Ariyo, Ibadan. The petition initially concerned allegations of conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character.
The matter was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3. During the investigation, detectives discovered the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who had gone missing during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29.
Police said digital evidence and materials 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 a wider investigation into an organised network involved in the stealing, movement and sale of children.
The Police said Popoola confessed to involvement 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 her associate. Janet was traced to Mowe, Ogun State, where four children aged between two and four were rescued alongside two pregnant young women.
According to the Commissioner, Janet admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years and provided information on how some stolen children were kept pending their sale.
Her information also helped detectives locate Ifakunle, who was rescued on August 20 around the Gbagi area of Ibadan.
The investigation subsequently took the Police to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from their buyers.
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 confirmed the interstate nature of the syndicate and showed that children were being moved outside Oyo State as part of the network’s activities.
The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the criminal operation.
The Commissioner said the suspects disclosed that when a child died while in their custody, the body would allegedly be sold to ritualists. This 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 the victims for ritual purposes, according to the Police.
The Command said it has so far rescued 17 children, including infants and children between two and seven years old.
The rescued children are Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; an infant aged nine days; 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 being investigated, while noting that some victims reportedly died 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 network, locate other missing children, investigate reported deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable is 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 persons seek to separate children from their families or take them to undisclosed locations.
The Commissioner assured members of the public that credible information provided 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.
