POLICE RESCUE 17 CHILDREN AS OYO INVESTIGATION UNCOVERS TRAFFICKING RING
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Oyo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in an intelligence-led investigation into a criminal network allegedly involved in the stealing and trafficking of children across state lines.
The investigation, which began with a petition, has uncovered a wider network operating beyond Oyo State, leading to the rescue of 17 children and the arrest of seven suspects.
According to the police, the investigation has revealed a disturbing pattern involving the identification, movement, sale and concealment of children, alongside other serious criminal activities.
The investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of the Sogade area of Ariyo, Ibadan. The petition alleged conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character.
The petition was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3, 2026. During investigations, detectives’ attention was drawn to the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro.
Police said the child had accompanied his father to an annual masquerade festival at his father-in-law’s family compound in Oyo town on June 29, 2026.
Adejoke had reportedly arrived in the area two days earlier to participate in preparations for the festival. During the event, she offered to carry the child, but shortly afterwards, both she and the child disappeared from the venue.
The incident was subsequently reported at the Atiba Police Divisional Headquarters in Oyo Town.
As detectives investigated the child’s disappearance, photographs and video recordings from the event showed Adejoke carrying the child on June 29.
Individuals identified through the digital trail were invited by the police, and their statements reportedly established that Adejoke was with the child around the time he disappeared.
Adejoke was arrested on August 4, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. During interrogation, she admitted attending the masquerade festival and subsequently leaving with the missing child.
Her statement, according to the police, provided the first major breakthrough into the wider criminal network.
She allegedly disclosed that she had participated in the stealing of more than 15 children, aged between two and seven years, from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
She also identified Adekanbi Janet, popularly known as Hosanna, as her alleged partner in the operation.
Janet was subsequently traced and arrested in Mowe, Ogun State. Four children aged between two and four years were rescued from her custody, while two pregnant young women were also found with her.
During interrogation, Janet reportedly admitted knowing Adejoke for about 10 years and acknowledged her involvement in the alleged stealing and sale of children, although she denied having custody of Ifakunle.
She reportedly told detectives that some of the stolen children were kept in custody pending their sale, while the pregnant young women were kept until they delivered their babies.
Janet also provided information that helped detectives trace the whereabouts of Ifakunle, leading to his rescue around the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20, 2026.
The investigation subsequently extended beyond Oyo State.
On September 2, 2026, detectives travelled to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from their buyers.
Police also arrested Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, who reportedly confessed to their alleged involvement in the child trafficking operation.
The police said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to identify other members of the network and establish the full extent of its activities.
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