The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged child-stealing and human trafficking network operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the investigation commenced following credible intelligence concerning the disappearance of a three-year-old child, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.
According to Iniedu, investigations led detectives to Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, who was arrested on August 4, 2026.
Iniedu said Popoola, upon her arrest, allegedly disclosed her involvement in the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
Her disclosures, Iniedu said, led detectives to Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, who was subsequently arrested in Mowe, Ogun State.
“Four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody,” Iniedu said.
The Police spokesperson said further information obtained during the investigation provided leads to the whereabouts of Ifakunle, resulting in his rescue in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20, 2026.
He said the investigation subsequently revealed that the alleged criminal network extended beyond Oyo and Ogun states.
According to him, police detectives, acting on emerging leads, extended the operation to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from persons suspected to have illegally acquired them.
Iniedu said Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse were arrested in connection with the operation, adding that the development further established the interstate dimension of the investigation.
The investigation also uncovered allegations that deceased victims were transferred to persons involved in ritual activities.
This development, he said, led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are being investigated in connection with the alleged use of victims for ritual purposes.
“The Command has also received information concerning six children who allegedly died while in the custody of members of the network, with efforts ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths,” Iniedu said.
He said the police were sustaining efforts to identify other members of the network, locate additional missing children and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the Oyo State Command for the breakthrough and directed that efforts be sustained to dismantle the entire network and ensure that all persons found culpable are brought to justice.
Iniedu quoted the IGP as directing the Command to intensify investigations and ensure that all relevant suspects were identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that perpetrators of child-related crimes are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Iniedu said.
