The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate operating across several states, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects following an intelligence-led investigation.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, saying the breakthrough followed sustained investigative efforts by the Oyo State Command.
The investigation began after the reported disappearance of a three-year-old child, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who went missing during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.
Iniedu said detectives, acting on credible intelligence, identified and arrested Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, on August 4, 2026.
According to the police spokesman, Popoola allegedly confessed to involvement in the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
Her disclosures, he said, led investigators to Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, who was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State.
“Four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody,” Iniedu said.
He added that further information obtained during the investigation provided leads to the whereabouts of Ifakunle, resulting in the child’s rescue in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.
The investigation subsequently revealed that the alleged criminal network extended beyond Oyo and Ogun states, prompting detectives to widen the operation.
Iniedu said police operatives on September 2, 2026, extended the operation to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from individuals suspected of having illegally acquired them.
He said Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse were arrested in connection with the operation, describing the development as further confirmation of the interstate nature of the alleged criminal network.
The investigation also uncovered disturbing allegations concerning the fate of some victims, including claims that deceased victims were transferred to individuals involved in ritual activities.
“This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are being investigated in connection with the alleged use of victims for ritual purposes,” Iniedu said.
He further disclosed that the Command had received information concerning six children who allegedly died while in the custody of members of the network, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The Force Public Relations Officer said Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, commended the Oyo State Command for the breakthrough and directed that the operation be sustained.
According to Iniedu, the IGP ordered the police to dismantle the entire network, locate additional missing children and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
“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,” Iniedu said.
The police assured the public that investigations into the syndicate would continue, particularly to establish the full extent of its operations, locate other possible victims and identify all persons allegedly involved in the network.
