The Nigeria Police Force, through the Oyo State Command, has busted an alleged child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate operating across several states, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects.
The breakthrough followed an intelligence-led investigation into the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who went missing during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town, Oyo State, on June 29, 2026.
Commending the Oyo State Command for the breakthrough, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, directed the command to sustain efforts to dismantle the alleged network, locate other missing children and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the investigation led to the arrest of Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, on August 4.
Popoola allegedly confessed to participating in the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
Her confession reportedly led detectives to another suspect, Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, who was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State.
Police said four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from Janet’s custody during the operation.
Further investigation provided leads to the whereabouts of Ifakunle, leading to his rescue in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.
The police said the investigation subsequently revealed that the alleged criminal network extended beyond Oyo and Ogun states.
Acting on the information gathered, detectives on September 2 extended the operation to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from persons suspected of having illegally acquired them.
Two suspects, identified as Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse, were arrested in connection with the operation.
The police said their arrests further confirmed the interstate nature of the alleged trafficking network.
The investigation also uncovered allegations that some deceased victims were transferred to persons involved in ritual activities.
Police subsequently arrested Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are being investigated over the alleged use of victims for ritual purposes.
The command also said it had received information about six children who allegedly died while in the custody of members of the network.
It added that efforts were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, dismantling criminal networks and prosecuting perpetrators of child-related crimes in accordance with the law.