The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered an alleged interstate child-stealing network operating across parts of southwestern and southern Nigeria. Police say detectives rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects during the investigation.
The case began with the disappearance of a three-year-old boy in Oyo town. However, detectives soon uncovered information that pointed to a much larger operation.
According to police, the suspected network stole children, moved them between states and arranged their sale or concealment. The investigation also uncovered claims that six children died while members of the alleged syndicate held them.
The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, said a petition triggered the investigation. The command later transferred the case to its Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation.
Detectives followed several leads and eventually discovered connections across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states. They also rescued children from different locations and arrested suspects linked to the alleged operation.
How the Oyo child-stealing network investigation began
The investigation gained momentum after three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro disappeared in Oyo town.
Police said the boy went missing on June 29 during an annual masquerade festival. Ifakunle had reportedly attended the event with his father at his father-in-law’s family compound.
According to the police, a woman named Adejoke Popoola arrived at the area while people prepared for the festival. She reportedly offered to carry the child during the event.
Police said Popoola later left the venue with Ifakunle. His family soon noticed his disappearance and reported the matter to the Atiba Police Divisional Headquarters in Oyo.
Detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy’s disappearance. They also reviewed photographs and videos recorded during the festival.
The images and videos helped investigators identify people who interacted with Ifakunle before he disappeared. Detectives then followed the information to locate some of those individuals.
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Police arrested Popoola in Oyo State on August 4. During questioning, she reportedly admitted attending the festival and leaving with the missing boy.
Investigators then obtained information from her that widened the case considerably.
Police allege more than 15 children were stolen
Police said Popoola allegedly admitted involvement in the theft of more than 15 children. According to investigators, the children ranged from two to seven years old.
The alleged victims reportedly disappeared from different locations. These locations included churches, parties and other public events.
The disclosure pushed detectives to expand their investigation. They began searching for other people who might have participated in the alleged operation.
Police said Popoola identified Janet Adekanbi, also known as Hosanna, as an alleged accomplice. Detectives subsequently traced Adekanbi to Mowe in Ogun State.
When officers arrived at the location, they reportedly rescued four children. The children ranged from two to four years old.
Police also found two pregnant young women at the location. Their presence raised further questions about the activities of the people operating from the location.
According to the command, Adekanbi admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years. Police said she also acknowledged awareness of Popoola’s alleged involvement in stealing and selling children.
Adekanbi reportedly denied keeping Ifakunle. However, investigators said information from her helped them continue their search for the missing boy.
The development marked another major step in the investigation into the Oyo child-stealing network.
Police rescue missing boy in Ibadan
The search for Ifakunle eventually took detectives to the Gbagi area of Ibadan.
Police said officers located and rescued the three-year-old boy there on August 20. His recovery ended weeks of uncertainty for his family.
The rescue also gave investigators more information to pursue other leads. Rather than closing the case, detectives continued examining the information they had gathered.
They also began tracing possible connections outside Oyo State.
Investigators later discovered links to Delta State. The development suggested that the suspected network operated across state borders.
Police consequently continued their investigation in other locations.
Investigation extends to Delta State
On September 2, police detectives travelled to Agbor in Delta State. They went there as part of their investigation into the alleged child-stealing network.
According to the police, officers rescued four additional children during the operation. Investigators believe the suspects had allegedly stolen the children from Oyo State.
The operation also led to the arrest of Joy Christopher, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53.
Police said both suspects allegedly confessed to involvement in the suspected network. However, investigators still need to establish the full roles of each suspect.
The recovery of children in Delta State further strengthened the police’s claim that the operation crossed state boundaries.
Authorities now face the task of tracing other people who may have helped steal, transport or conceal children.
The interstate nature of the investigation also requires cooperation between police commands in different states.
Police uncover alleged deaths of six children
The investigation took a darker turn when police uncovered allegations involving six children who reportedly died.
According to the police, information from suspects suggested that the children died while members of the suspected network held them.
Authorities also alleged that suspects sold the remains of some of the children to suspected ritualists.
The claim led investigators to pursue another line of inquiry. Police subsequently arrested Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist.
According to the command, Azeez allegedly confessed to using the remains for ritual purposes.
Police have presented the allegations as part of the ongoing investigation. However, the claims still require further investigation and legal proceedings.
The six children identified by the police include Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, aged two; Greatness Adeagbo, aged five; Sainat Amoo, aged two; Taiwo Usman, aged two; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, aged seven; and Miracle Olaniyi, aged four.
The allegations have added a serious new dimension to the case. What began with one missing child now involves claims of child theft, trafficking, deaths and alleged ritual activity.
Police said detectives are still working to establish exactly what happened to the children who reportedly died.
Oyo police rescue 17 children
So far, the Oyo State Police Command says officers have rescued 17 children during the investigation.
Detectives recovered the children from different locations as they followed information from suspects and other sources.
The command must now identify each rescued child and trace their families. Police also need to reunite the children with their parents or guardians where possible.
The police have therefore appealed to families who recently lost children to contact the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
Parents and guardians can provide information about their missing children. Such information could help detectives determine whether any rescued children belong to those families.
The appeal could also reveal additional missing-child cases connected to the suspected network.
Police hope that families will come forward with details that can support the investigation.
Police search for other members of alleged network
The investigation into the Oyo child-stealing network remains active. Detectives are still trying to establish the full structure of the suspected operation.
Police are also searching for other suspects who may have participated in stealing, transporting, selling or concealing children.
Another major focus involves the reported deaths of the six children. Investigators want to establish where and when the children died.
They also want to determine who had custody of them at the time. Police must further establish what happened to their remains.
The command said detectives continue to work with relevant security and government agencies.
Investigators will also examine possible links between suspects and locations in Oyo, Ogun and Delta states.
Those links could help police determine how the alleged operation moved children between different locations.
They could also help investigators identify other families who may have lost children to the suspected network.
Police warn parents and guardians
The police have urged parents and guardians to watch their children closely during crowded events.
The disappearance of Ifakunle reportedly happened during a busy masquerade festival. Large gatherings can make it difficult for families to monitor young children.
Police therefore advised parents to remain especially vigilant during festivals, religious gatherings, parties and other public events.
The command also urged families to carefully consider who they allow to take their children away from them.
Police further warned members of the public about people who claim to operate as traditional or spiritual healers.
The warning follows allegations that suspects provided children’s remains to suspected ritualists. Police said members of the public should exercise caution when dealing with individuals who request access to children.
Parents should also report suspicious behaviour quickly. Early reports can give investigators a better chance of locating missing children.
Investigation into Oyo child-stealing network continues
The rescue of 17 children represents a major development in the investigation. However, police still have several questions to answer.
Detectives must determine how many people belonged to the alleged network. They must also establish how the suspects allegedly moved children between states.
The investigation must further determine what happened to children who reportedly died.
Police are expected to examine evidence gathered from the different suspects and locations. They may also review additional records, photographs and other information connected to missing children.
The authorities have urged families with missing children to contact the Oyo State Police Command.
That appeal could help investigators connect more missing-child reports to the suspected operation.
Meanwhile, the police said they will continue searching for other members of the alleged syndicate.
The command also said it will work to locate more missing children and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
For families who have spent weeks or months searching for missing children, the rescue operation offers a measure of hope. At the same time, the allegations surrounding the six deaths have intensified concerns about the suspected network.
The case now spans several states and involves multiple suspects, rescued children and serious allegations.
As detectives continue their work, the Oyo State Police Command is expected to provide further updates on the investigation.
For now, police say the Oyo child-stealing network investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify more suspects, rescue other missing children and establish the full circumstances behind the alleged crimes.
