Police Bust Child-Trafficking Syndicate In Oyo, Rescue 17 Children, Seven Arrested

The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered an alleged child-stealing and trafficking network operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects. Police said six other children died in captivity.

Oyo Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga disclosed the breakthrough at a press briefing at the State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, on Monday. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, also announced the operation in a statement.

The investigation began with a July 29 petition by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of the Sogade area of Ibadan, over allegations including conspiracy, threat to life and defamation. While examining the petition, detectives were drawn to the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29. Pictures and video from the event showed Popoola carrying the child before both disappeared, and she was arrested on August 4.

Police said Popoola allegedly confessed to involvement in the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State. Her disclosures led detectives to Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children aged between two and four and two pregnant young women were recovered. Adekanbi reportedly admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years in connection with the alleged stealing and sale of children, and said some children were kept pending their sale while the pregnant women were cared for until delivery.

Ifakunle was rescued around the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20. On September 2 the operation extended to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from their suspected buyers and two suspects, 48-year-old Christopher Joy and 53-year-old Rosemary Jesse, were arrested.

The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension. Police said a suspect confessed that whenever a child died in the syndicate’s custody, the body would be sold to ritualists, leading to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist. The command also received information that six children allegedly died in the custody of network members, and investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances.

Channels Television reported testimony attributed to Popoola in which she allegedly said she had stolen 13 children since October 2024, taking children from homes and festivals when parents were absent, and in some cases telling parents of children with disabilities that she could heal them. She reportedly mentioned sale amounts of N500,000 to N600,000.

The six deceased children were identified as Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, two; Greatness Adeagbo, five; Sainat Amoo, two; Taiwo Usman, two; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, seven; and Miracle Olaniyi, four. The command listed the 17 rescued children and urged parents who have lost children recently to visit the command headquarters to help with identification and reunification, warning parents to be careful with individuals who present themselves as traditional or spiritual healers.

Sources: Channels Television, Vanguard