The Oyo State Police Command has rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects in a major crackdown on an alleged interstate child-stealing and human-trafficking network operating across several states in Nigeria. The operation, which began after a complaint was filed on July 29, 2026, led to the recovery of children from Oyo, Ogun, and Delta States, with police uncovering disturbing links to ritual killings and illegal trade in minors.
Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga revealed the details during a press briefing at the Police State Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, on Monday. He said the investigation was triggered by the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29. The child had been handed over to a woman named Popoola, who left the venue with him and was later arrested on August 4 after detectives used video footage to trace her movements.
Popoola’s arrest exposed a wider criminal network involved in stealing children aged two to seven from public events such as churches and parties. She confessed to being part of the group responsible for more than 15 abductions, both within and outside Oyo State. Her confession led investigators to Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, who was apprehended in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children aged between two and four were found along with two pregnant women.
Further investigations led to the rescue of Ifakunle on August 20 near the Gbagi area of Ibadan. The probe also extended to Delta State, where police traveled to Agbor on September 2 and recovered four more children believed to have been stolen from Oyo State. Two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested in connection with the case.
Olugbenga emphasized that the criminal network operated across state lines, confirming the interstate nature of the trafficking ring. More alarmingly, police uncovered evidence linking the group to the deaths of seven children, some of whom were reportedly sold to ritualists. This information led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, who allegedly admitted to using the bodies for ritual purposes.
The Oyo State Police Command is urging parents and guardians of missing children to visit the headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to help identify the rescued minors and facilitate reunification. Commissioner Olugbenga stressed the importance of immediate reporting of missing children, warning that delays significantly reduce recovery chances. This case underscores the growing threat of child trafficking in Nigeria and highlights the need for heightened vigilance and swift action from law enforcement and the public alike.
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