The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of six children who were allegedly abducted and held by a suspected child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate operating across different states.
The command also announced the rescue of 17 children and the arrest of seven suspects in connection with an intelligence-led investigation into a network allegedly involved in the stealing, trafficking and concealment of children.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed the development on Monday during a press briefing at the Police State Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to the commissioner, the investigation began following a petition submitted on July 29, 2026, by Adejoke Popoola, popularly known as Orente Alagbo, from the Sogade Area of Ariyo, Ibadan.
The petition reportedly contained allegations bordering on conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3 for further investigation.
However, while detectives were investigating the petition, they reportedly uncovered evidence linking Popoola to the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro.
How Three-Year-Old Boy Disappeared
According to Olugbenga, Ifakunle disappeared during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29.
The commissioner explained that the child had attended the event with his father and was at his father-in-law’s family compound when the incident occurred.
Popoola, who had reportedly arrived in the area two days before the festival to participate in preparations for the event, allegedly offered to carry the child during the celebration.
Both Popoola and the boy subsequently disappeared, prompting the child’s family to report the matter at the Atiba Police Divisional Headquarters in Oyo Town.
Police investigators reportedly obtained video recordings and photographs from the event which showed Popoola carrying Ifakunle.
The command said additional digital evidence, alongside statements obtained from people connected to the event, further placed her in the company of the child around the period he disappeared.
Popoola was arrested on August 4 and, according to the police, allegedly admitted leaving the festival with Ifakunle.
Her alleged confession reportedly led investigators to a much larger network suspected of stealing and trafficking children.
Suspect Allegedly Confesses to Stealing More Than 15 Children
Olugbenga said Popoola allegedly confessed to involvement in the disappearance of more than 15 children between the ages of two and seven.
The children were allegedly targeted at churches, parties, festivals and other public gatherings both within and outside Oyo State.
During questioning, she reportedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as an alleged accomplice.
Following the information provided by Popoola, detectives reportedly traced Adekanbi to Mowe in Ogun State.
Four children, aged between two and four, were allegedly rescued from the location, while two pregnant young women were also reportedly recovered.
According to the police, Adekanbi admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years in connection with the alleged stealing and sale of children.
She reportedly denied having Ifakunle in her possession but allegedly told investigators that some stolen children were kept at designated locations while the suspects waited for prospective buyers.
She also allegedly disclosed that pregnant women were sometimes provided with accommodation and care until they gave birth.
Information obtained during the investigation reportedly helped detectives locate Ifakunle in the Gbagi area of Ibadan, where the three-year-old was rescued on August 20.
Investigation Extends to Delta State
The investigation subsequently spread beyond Oyo State as detectives followed leads to other parts of the country.
On September 2, police investigators reportedly travelled to Agbor in Delta State, where they rescued four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State.
Two suspects, identified as 48-year-old Christopher Joy and 53-year-old Rosemary Jesse, were arrested in connection with the children.
The police said the suspects allegedly confessed to participating in the trafficking operation.
According to the command, the arrests and recoveries indicated that the suspected syndicate had an interstate structure through which children were allegedly moved from Oyo State to other locations.
Police Uncover Alleged Ritual Dimension
The investigation also reportedly uncovered allegations of a ritual component to the activities of the suspected network.
Commissioner Olugbenga said one of the suspects allegedly told investigators that whenever a child died while in their custody, the child’s body was reportedly sold to people involved in ritual activities.
Following the information, the police arrested two additional suspects identified as Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist.
The two men were accused by the police of allegedly participating in activities involving the use of children’s bodies for ritual purposes.
The allegations are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation as detectives work to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the individual roles of those arrested.
Suspect Explains Alleged Method of Stealing Children
One of the principal suspects, identified by the police as Orente, reportedly told investigators that she had stolen 13 children before her arrest.
She allegedly confessed to targeting children in situations where she believed there was limited supervision.
According to the police account, the suspect said she would sometimes visit homes and take children when she found no one around.
She reportedly claimed that stolen children were sold for between ₦500,000 and ₦600,000, adding that she had allegedly been involved in the operation since October 2024.
The suspect also allegedly described how members of the network could gain the confidence of parents before taking their children.
In one alleged method, she reportedly approached parents of children living with disabilities and claimed that she could help cure or heal them before allegedly taking the children away.
The police said the revelations had provided investigators with important information about how the suspected network allegedly operated.
Six Children Confirmed Dead
The police commissioner confirmed that six children allegedly died while in captivity.
They were identified as:
- Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, 2
- Greatness Adeagbo, 5
- Sainat Amoo, 2
- Taiwo Usman, 2
- Daniel Solomon Olayinka, 7
- Miracle Olaniyi, 4
The circumstances surrounding each child’s death remain subject to investigation.
The police said the reported deaths were part of the wider investigation into the suspected syndicate and that efforts were ongoing to establish what happened to the children while they were allegedly in captivity.
Police Rescue 17 Children
The 17 children rescued during the operation were identified as:
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 command has appealed to parents and guardians who have recently reported missing children to visit the Police Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to check whether any of the rescued children may be their relatives.
Police Promise Further Action
Olugbenga said the investigation was still ongoing and that the command was collaborating with other security and government agencies to uncover the full structure of the suspected network.
He said investigators were working to locate additional missing children, identify other suspects and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the six children.
The commissioner assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report cases involving missing children to the police without delay.
Olugbenga specifically cautioned parents against handing over their children to individuals who claim to be traditional or spiritual healers, particularly where such persons attempt to separate children from their families or take them to undisclosed locations.
He further appealed to members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation to contact the police, assuring them that relevant information would be handled professionally and confidentially where necessary.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that those found responsible are brought to justice.
