• Police arrest seven suspects, uncover alleged child trafficking syndicate
• Suspects allegedly sold children for up to N600,000 each
• Bodies of dead children allegedly sold to ritualists
Six children allegedly abducted by a suspected child-trafficking syndicate have died in captivity, while 17 others have been rescued by the Oyo State Police Command.
The Command also paraded seven suspects in connection with the alleged trafficking network, which reportedly operated across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to him, the investigation followed a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as “Orente Alagbo,” of Sogade Area, Ariyo, Ibadan.
The petition initially bordered on cyberbullying and threat to life but was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3 for investigation.
Olugbenga said detectives subsequently linked the case to the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29.
“The child had accompanied his father to his father-in-law’s compound. Popoola arrived two days earlier for the festival and offered to carry the child. Both disappeared from the venue,” the CP said.
He said video evidence and witness statements subsequently placed Popoola with the missing child.
Popoola was arrested on August 4 and allegedly confessed to taking the boy, leading investigators to uncover what police described as a wider child-trafficking network.
According to the CP, Popoola allegedly admitted to stealing more than 15 children, aged between two and seven, from churches, parties and other events within and outside Oyo State since October 2024.
She reportedly named Adekanbi Janet, alias “Hosanna,” as an accomplice.
Adekanbi was traced to Mowe, Ogun State, where police rescued four children aged between two and four, as well as two pregnant young women.
“Some of the stolen children were kept pending sale, while the pregnant women were allegedly cared for until delivery,” Olugbenga said.
Following information obtained from Adekanbi, detectives rescued Ifakunle in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.
The investigation was later extended to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four additional children allegedly stolen from Oyo were rescued.
Police also arrested two suspects, 48-year-old Christopher Joy and 53-year-old Rosemary Jesse, who allegedly confessed to their involvement.
Six children allegedly killed
Olugbenga said the investigation took a more disturbing turn after one suspect allegedly confessed that some of the children who died while in captivity had their bodies sold to suspected ritualists.
The development led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, who police said allegedly confessed to their involvement.
The six children identified by the police as having died are Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, 2; Greatness Adeagbo, 5; Sainat Amoo, 2; Taiwo Usman, 2; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, 7; and Miracle Olaniyi, 4.
Police said Popoola, popularly known as “Orente”, also allegedly told investigators that she stole 13 children before her arrest.
According to the police, she allegedly took children from homes when their parents or guardians were absent, gained the confidence of parents at spiritual gatherings or targeted children with disabilities under the guise of offering healing.
She reportedly told investigators that the children were sold for between N500,000 and N600,000 each.
17 children rescued
The 17 children rescued by the police are Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; a nine-day-old male 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 Commissioner urged parents who have recently lost children to visit the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, for possible identification and reunification.
He said the police, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, were working to uncover the full structure of the alleged trafficking network and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Olugbenga also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report missing children immediately.
“We appeal to the public to remain vigilant and report cases of missing children immediately. Be cautious of individuals posing as traditional or spiritual healers who seek to separate children from their families,” he said.
