The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered an alleged child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate operating across state lines, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects in an intelligence-led investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, disclosed this on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a press briefing at the Police State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to the Commissioner, the investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, over allegations bordering on conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character.
The petition was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3. During the investigation, detectives discovered a link to the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who went missing during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo town on June 29.
Police said pictorial and video materials from the event showed Popoola carrying the child shortly before both of them disappeared from the venue.
Popoola was subsequently arrested on August 4. The police said she admitted leaving the festival with the missing child and made revelations that opened up a wider criminal network.
According to the police, Popoola confessed to being involved in the stealing of more than 15 children, aged between two and seven, from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
She allegedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as her associate.
Adekanbi was traced to Mowe, Ogun State, where police said four children aged between two and four were rescued from her custody. Two pregnant young women were also found there.
The police said Adekanbi admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years and confirmed her involvement in the alleged stealing and sale of children, although she denied having custody of Ifakunle.
She reportedly disclosed that some stolen children were kept in custody pending their sale, while pregnant young women were allegedly cared for until delivery.
Information obtained during the investigation eventually led detectives to the whereabouts of Ifakunle, who was rescued around Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.
The investigation subsequently extended beyond Oyo State.
On September 2, detectives travelled to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from persons who had acquired them.
Two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested and reportedly confessed to involvement in the alleged criminal enterprise.
The development, according to the police, confirmed the interstate nature of the network and showed that children were being moved outside Oyo State.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the investigation uncovered an alleged link between the syndicate and ritual activities.
He said one of the suspects confessed that when a child died in their custody, the body would allegedly be sold to ritualists.
This development led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist. The police said both suspects confessed to their alleged involvement in using the bodies for ritual purposes.
The seven suspects arrested in connection with the investigation are Adejoke Popoola, Adekanbi Janet, Christopher Joy, Rosemary Jesse, Muritala Fasasi, Yakubu Azeez and Ismaila Alabede.
The command said it has so far rescued 17 children in connection with the investigation.
They include Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; a nine-day-old infant; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Rejoice Divine, 3; Alhaji Divine, 5; Eniolorunda, 3; Victoria, 3; Isoma Prince, 3; Roqeeba, 4; Boluwatife Odedeyi, 3; and Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade, 7.
The police also disclosed that six other children allegedly died while in the custody of their abductors. They were identified as Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, 2; Greatness Adeagbo, 5; Sainat Amoo, 2; Taiwo Usman, 2; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, 7; and Miracle Olaniyi, 4.
The Command urged parents and guardians who have lost children in recent times to visit the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families.
The police said they are working with relevant security and government agencies to uncover the full structure of the network, locate other missing children, establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and prosecute all persons found culpable.
The Command also urged members of the public to report cases of missing children to the police without delay.
Parents and guardians were particularly advised to exercise caution when dealing with persons who present themselves as traditional or spiritual healers, especially where such persons seek to separate children from their families or take them to undisclosed locations.
The police assured members of the public that credible information provided to assist the investigation would be handled professionally and, where necessary, confidentially.
