Oyo Police Bust Child-Trafficking Ring, Rescue 17 Children as Six Die in Captivity
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected interstate child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects linked to the alleged criminal network.
The Police also confirmed that six children died while in the custody of members of the syndicate, while investigators uncovered allegations that the remains of children who died in captivity were allegedly sold to suspected ritualists.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed the development on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to the Police chief, what initially began as an investigation into a petition eventually exposed a wider network allegedly involved in the stealing, movement, concealment and sale of children across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states.
How the Investigation Began
Olugbenga said the investigation started with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, from the Sogade area of Ariyo, Ibadan.
The petition contained allegations of conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character and was subsequently transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3.
While detectives were investigating the petition, they were alerted 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 reportedly accompanied his father to a family compound for the festival. According to the Police, Popoola, who had arrived in the town earlier to participate in preparations for the event, offered to carry the child.
Shortly afterwards, both Popoola and the child disappeared from the venue.
The matter was reported at the Atiba Police Divisional Headquarters in Oyo Town.
Police investigators later reviewed photographs and video recordings from the event, which allegedly showed Popoola carrying the missing child. Digital trails and statements from people connected to the event reportedly further established that she was with the child around the time of his disappearance.
Popoola was arrested on August 4 and allegedly admitted attending the masquerade festival and subsequently leaving with the child.
The Police said her statement became a major breakthrough in the investigation.
Suspect Allegedly Reveals Wider Child-Stealing Operation
According to the Commissioner of Police, Popoola allegedly told investigators that she had been involved in the stealing of more than 15 children, mostly aged between two and seven years.
The children were allegedly taken from churches, parties, masquerade festivals and other social gatherings within and outside Oyo State.
She reportedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as an alleged partner in the operation.
Following the information, detectives traced Janet to Mowe, Ogun State, where four children aged between two and four years were allegedly rescued.
Police also recovered two pregnant young women from the location.
The Commissioner said Janet admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years and being aware of her alleged involvement in the stealing and sale of children, although she reportedly denied having custody of Ifakunle.
She allegedly told investigators that some of the stolen children were kept in custody while arrangements were made for their sale, while the pregnant women were allegedly kept until they gave birth.
Information obtained during the investigation subsequently helped detectives locate Ifakunle, who was rescued around the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.
Investigation Extends to Delta State
The investigation later moved beyond Oyo and Ogun states.
Olugbenga disclosed that detectives travelled to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from people suspected of having bought them.
Two suspects, identified as 48-year-old Christopher Joy and 53-year-old Rosemary Jesse, were arrested during the operation.
The Police said the suspects allegedly confessed to involvement in the trafficking network.
The development, according to the command, established the interstate nature of the suspected criminal enterprise and indicated that children were allegedly being moved across State boundaries for sale and concealment.
Police Uncover Alleged Ritual Dimension
Investigators also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the activities of the syndicate.
The Commissioner said one of the suspects allegedly disclosed that whenever a child died while in their custody, the body was sold to suspected ritualists.
The revelation reportedly led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist.
Police said both suspects allegedly confessed to involvement in the use of the children’s remains for ritual purposes.
The command has so far identified six children who allegedly died in captivity. They were named as:
Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, 2; Greatness Adeagbo, 5; Sainat Amoo, 2; Taiwo Usman, 2; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, 7; and Miracle Olaniyi, 4.
The identities of the deceased were disclosed by the Police as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Seven Suspects Arrested
The seven suspects paraded by the Police were identified as Adejoke Popoola, Adekanbi Janet, Christopher Joy, Rosemary Jesse, Muritala Fasasi, Yakubu Azeez and Ismaila Alabede.
The Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of their alleged activities and identify other persons connected to the network.
17 Rescued Children
The command said the 17 rescued children include children aged between two and seven years, as well as a nine-day-old infant.
The rescued children 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 Police have appealed to parents and guardians whose children have gone missing in recent times to visit the command headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families.
Police Warn Parents and Guardians
The Oyo Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report missing-child cases to the police immediately.
Olugbenga particularly warned parents and guardians to be cautious when dealing with individuals who claim to be traditional or spiritual healers, especially when such persons attempt to separate children from their families or request to take them to undisclosed locations.
The Commissioner said the command was working with relevant security and government agencies to dismantle the suspected network, locate other missing children and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Command also appealed for credible information that could assist the investigation, assuring members of the public that such information would be treated professionally and confidentially where necessary.
Global Mirror News gathered that the latest operation highlights the growing need for parents, community leaders, religious organisations and event organisers to strengthen vigilance around children, particularly at crowded social, religious and cultural gatherings. The police investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the complete structure of the alleged trafficking network and determine whether more victims or accomplices are involved.
