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Police Rescue 17 Children, Arrest Seven Over Alleged Trafficking Network
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered an alleged interstate child-stealing and human trafficking network, rescuing 17 children and arresting seve...
By Wavers Multimedia
The investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, which was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3. During the investigation, detectives were drawn to the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who went missing during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29.
Police said video and photographic evidence from the event showed Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, carrying the child shortly before both of them disappeared from the venue. Popoola was arrested on August 4 and allegedly admitted leaving the festival with the missing boy.
According to the police, information obtained from Popoola opened up a wider investigation into an alleged network involved in the stealing, movement and sale of children. She allegedly disclosed that she had participated in the stealing of more than 15 children between the ages of two and seven from churches, parties and other events within and outside Oyo State.
Popoola reportedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as an alleged associate. Janet was subsequently traced to Mowe, Ogun State, where police rescued four children between the ages of two and four and also recovered two pregnant young women.
Information obtained during the investigation later helped detectives locate Ifakunle in the Gbagi area of Ibadan, where he was rescued on August 20.
The investigation subsequently extended to Agbor, Delta State. On September 2, police rescued four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State and arrested Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, in connection with the operation. Police said their arrests further confirmed the interstate nature of the suspected network.
The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the criminal operation. Police said information from suspects indicated that some children who died while allegedly in the network's custody may have had their bodies transferred to people involved in ritual activities. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are being investigated over the allegations.
The police further disclosed that six children allegedly died while in the custody of members of the suspected network. Authorities said investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The Oyo State Police Command has appealed to parents and guardians who have recently lost children to visit its headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families.
Police said efforts are continuing to uncover the full structure of the alleged network, locate other missing children and investigate the reported deaths. The command also urged members of the public to report cases of missing children promptly.