The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered an alleged interstate child trafficking syndicate, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects, while confirming that six other children died while allegedly in the custody of the criminal network.
The breakthrough followed an investigation that initially began with a petition over allegations of conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character, before detectives uncovered what the police described as a wider network allegedly involved in the stealing, trafficking, sale and concealment of children across state lines.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the Police State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to the police commissioner, the investigation began after a petition dated July 29, 2026, was submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of Sogade Area, Ariyo, Ibadan. The petition was subsequently assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3 for investigation.
However, while detectives were investigating the petition, their attention was drawn to the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29.
The police said the boy had accompanied his father to his grandfather’s family compound for the festival, while Popoola had reportedly arrived two days earlier to participate in preparations for the event.
According to CP Olugbenga, Popoola allegedly offered to carry the child during the event, after which both she and the boy disappeared from the venue.
The matter was subsequently reported at the Atiba Police Divisional Headquarters in Oyo Town.
The commissioner said photographs and video recordings obtained from the event allegedly showed Popoola carrying the missing child, while digital evidence and statements from people connected with the festival further established that she was with the boy around the period of his disappearance.
Popoola was arrested on August 4 and reportedly admitted that she attended the masquerade festival and subsequently left with the child.
Her statement, according to the police, became a major breakthrough in the investigation and led detectives to uncover what was described as a wider criminal network allegedly involved in the stealing and sale of children.
The suspect reportedly disclosed that she had allegedly been involved in the stealing of more than 15 children, between the ages of two and seven, from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
She also allegedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as an accomplice.
Police detectives subsequently traced Adekanbi to Mowe in Ogun State, where four children, aged between two and four years, were rescued from suspected custody. Two pregnant young women were also found during the operation.
The police commissioner said Adekanbi allegedly admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years in connection with the alleged stealing and sale of children, although she denied having custody of Ifakunle.
According to the police, Adekanbi further disclosed that some of the stolen children were allegedly kept in custody pending their sale, while pregnant young women were allegedly cared for until they gave birth.
Information obtained from her later led detectives to the Gbagi area of Ibadan, where Ifakunle was rescued on August 20.
The investigation subsequently spread beyond Oyo State, as detectives travelled to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from suspected buyers.
Two suspects identified as 48-year-old Christopher Joy and 53-year-old Rosemary Jesse were arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in the illegal operation.
CP Olugbenga said the development confirmed the alleged interstate dimension of the network, with children reportedly being moved outside Oyo State as part of the operation.
The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the activities of the syndicate.
According to the police commissioner, one of the suspects allegedly confessed that whenever a child died while in their custody, the body was allegedly sold to ritualists.
The revelation reportedly led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, who were said to have allegedly confessed to involvement in using the bodies for ritual purposes.
The police also released details of an account allegedly made by one of the principal suspects, who reportedly claimed that she had stolen 13 children before her arrest.
According to the account, the suspect allegedly visited homes and took children whenever she found nobody around.
She reportedly told investigators that the children were sold for between N500,000 and N600,000 each and claimed to have been involved in the alleged criminal business since October 2024.
The suspect also allegedly explained how children could be taken from locations where traditional or spiritual activities were taking place by first gaining the confidence of their parents.
In one instance, she reportedly claimed that she would approach parents of children living with disabilities and tell them that she could help heal the children before allegedly taking them away.
The six children confirmed dead were identified as two-year-old Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen; five-year-old Greatness Adeagbo; two-year-old Sainat Amoo; two-year-old Taiwo Usman; seven-year-old Daniel Solomon Olayinka; and four-year-old Miracle Olaniyi.
The 17 rescued children were identified as three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro; five-year-old Musibau Olasupo; seven-year-old Sulaimon Osamo; three-year-old Murina Fidaus; three-year-old Aminat Yusuf; three-year-old Taiwo Olamilekan; a nine-day-old male infant; two-year-old Rafiat Waheed Babalola; five-year-old Quwiyat Alade; three-year-old Rejoice Divine; five-year-old Alhaji Divine; three-year-old Eniolorunda; three-year-old Victoria; three-year-old Isoma Prince; four-year-old Roqeeba; three-year-old Boluwatife Odedeyi; and seven-year-old Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade.
The police commissioner appealed to parents and guardians who have lost their children in recent times to visit the Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunion with their families.
He said the command was working with relevant security and government agencies to uncover the full structure of the alleged syndicate, locate other missing children, establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and ensure that everyone found culpable is brought to justice.
CP Olugbenga also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of missing children to the police without delay.
He particularly cautioned parents and guardians against allowing individuals presenting themselves as traditional or spiritual healers to separate children from their families or take them to undisclosed locations.
The commissioner further appealed to members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation to contact the police, assuring that such information would be handled professionally and, where necessary, confidentially.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo State Police Command to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that all those found responsible for criminal activities are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
