Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested six suspects and rescued two pregnant women and four children during an operation targeting an alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption syndicate in Mowe.
The operation was carried out on Monday at about 8 a.m., when operatives of the Mowe Division, acting on sustained intelligence, raided a suspected hideout at Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, a suburb of Mowe.
The suspects arrested were Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.
According to the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, preliminary investigation indicated that human trafficking and illegal adoption activities had allegedly been taking place at the facility.
He said the operation followed intelligence gathered by the police concerning activities at the location.
“On August 24, 2026, at about 8 a.m., operatives acting on sustained intelligence stormed the syndicate’s hideout located at Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, a suburb of Mowe,” Opeyemi said.
He added that two pregnant women were rescued during the operation.
They were identified as Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who was seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who was eight months pregnant.
Four children, comprising two males and two females, were also recovered from the premises and taken to safety.
Opeyemi said further intelligence-led follow-up operations took the operatives to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another victim, Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, had reportedly given birth to a baby boy on August 20, 2026.
He said the mother was found receiving medical treatment at the hospital, but the whereabouts of the newborn could not be immediately accounted for, leading to the arrest of the attending nurse.
“While the mother was met receiving medical treatment, the whereabouts of the newborn child could not be accounted for, prompting the arrest of the attending nurse in connection with efforts to locate the infant,” he said.
The police spokesman said the case was being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
He said the investigation would establish the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s activities, locate the missing newborn and determine the culpability of the suspects for possible prosecution.
“The case is currently being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for continued diligent investigation as to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s activities, locate the missing newborn and ensure the prosecution of every culpable suspect,” Opeyemi said.
He added that the public would be kept informed of further developments as the investigation progressed.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for what he described as their operational efficiency and prompt response.
According to Opeyemi, the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, child trading and other forms of violent crime across the state.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information on suspicious persons and activities in their communities.
The command said members of the public could report suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or its emergency lines: 09164859299 and 09154293464.
