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 Aniete Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement, saying the breakthrough followed an intelligence-led investigation into the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during a masquerade festival in Oyo town on June 29, 2026.
According to the police, detectives arrested Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, on August 4 after investigations linked her to the missing child.
The police said Popoola allegedly confessed to participating in the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other public gatherings in Oyo State and beyond.
Her alleged disclosures reportedly led investigators to another suspect, Adekanbi Janet, popularly known as Hosanna, who was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State.
Police said four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from Janet’s custody.
Further investigation reportedly enabled detectives to trace the missing Ifakunle to the Gbagi area of Ibadan, where he was rescued on August 20.
The investigation subsequently expanded beyond Oyo and Ogun states, with police operatives moving to Agbor in Delta State on September 2.
According to the police, four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued during the operation, while two suspected buyers, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested.
The police said the arrests strengthened the suspicion that the criminal operation was an interstate trafficking network rather than an isolated incident.
Investigators also uncovered allegations that some deceased victims may have been transferred to individuals suspected of involvement in ritual activities.
The police said Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez were subsequently arrested and are being investigated in connection with the allegations.
The command further disclosed that it had received information concerning six children who allegedly died while in the custody of members of the suspected network.
Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and determine the roles, if any, of those arrested.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the Oyo State Police Command for the breakthrough and directed investigators to intensify efforts to dismantle the alleged network.
He also ordered the police to continue efforts to locate other missing children and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Force said the operation underscored its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from criminal exploitation.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide information that could assist investigators in identifying other members of the alleged network and locating missing children.
Meanwhile, the seven suspects remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have yet to be established in court.
