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IBADAN, September 7, 2026 — The Oyo State Police Command has dismantled a child-stealing and human-trafficking network that allegedly operated across Oyo, Ogun, and Delta States, rescuing 17 children, arresting seven suspects, and confirming that six abducted children died while in the syndicate’s custody.

Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga disclosed the breakthrough at a press briefing on Monday at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said in a statement that the operation followed an “intelligence-led investigation” into a criminal network involved in “the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.”

From a Petition to a Trafficking Ring

The case broke open almost by accident. According to Olugbenga, the investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, filed by a woman named Adejoke Popoola — also known as Orente Alagbo — of the Sogade area, Ariyo, Ibadan, alleging conspiracy, cyberbullying, threats to her life, and defamation of character. The petition was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3.

While examining the petition, detectives were drawn to a separate, unresolved case: the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29. Police said the boy had accompanied his father to a family compound for the festival, where Popoola — who had arrived two days earlier to help with preparations — offered to carry him. Photo and video evidence from the event placed Popoola with the child shortly before both vanished.

Detectives arrested Popoola on August 4. Police said she subsequently disclosed her own involvement in stealing, moving, and selling children taken from churches, parties, and other public gatherings — the same network the original petition had unwittingly led investigators toward.

The Network Widens

Popoola’s disclosures led detectives to Adekanbi Janet, also known as “Hosanna,” arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody. Police said Popoola had indicated that stolen children were held pending sale, while pregnant women in the network’s custody were kept until they delivered.

Further leads led to the rescue of Ifakunle himself on August 20, in the Gbagi area of Ibadan — nearly two months after he disappeared.

The investigation then crossed state lines again. On September 2, detectives travelled to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were recovered from the custody of Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53 — both of whom police say confessed to buying the children, confirming what investigators describe as the network’s interstate reach.

Ritual Allegations and Confirmed Deaths

The most disturbing thread to emerge from the investigation concerns children who died while in the network’s custody. Police said suspects disclosed that when a child died in captivity, the body would allegedly be sold to persons involved in ritual activities. That allegation led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, described as an Alfa (Islamic cleric), and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, both of whom police say have confessed to involvement in using victims for ritual purposes.

The Command confirmed six children died in captivity: Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, 2; Greatness Adeagbo, 5; Sainat Amoo, 2; Taiwo Usman, 2; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, 7; and Miracle Olaniyi, 4. Police said efforts are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the deaths.

The Rescued Children

Police named the 17 rescued children as Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; an unnamed infant boy aged nine days; 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.

Commissioner Olugbenga appealed to parents and guardians who have lost children in recent times to visit the Command Headquarters in Eleyele to help identify the rescued children.

Police Response

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu commended the Oyo Command for the breakthrough and directed that efforts be sustained “to dismantle the entire network, locate additional missing children and ensure that all persons found culpable are brought to justice,” according to the Force’s statement.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that perpetrators of child-related crimes are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

Investigations are continuing, with police saying they are pursuing additional leads to locate more missing children and identify further members of the network.