Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
What began as a routine investigation into a petition over cyberbullying and defamation has led the Oyo State Police Command to uncover a chilling child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate operating across state lines, with detectives rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects in an intelligence-led operation that has exposed a disturbing network involved in the abduction, sale, and concealment of children, as well as the alleged sale of deceased victims to ritualists.
The breakthrough began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of Sogade Area, Ariyo, Ibadan, raising allegations of conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character. The case was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3. However, while detectives were examining the circumstances surrounding the petition, their attention was drawn to the disappearance of a three-year-old boy identified as Ifakunle Ifagbenro. On June 29, 2026, the child had accompanied his father to the annual masquerade festival held at his father-in-law's family compound in Oyo Town. Adejoke, who had arrived at the venue two days before the festival, allegedly offered to carry the child. Shortly afterwards, both Adejoke and the child reportedly disappeared from the venue.
As detectives intensified efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the boy's disappearance, pictorial and video materials obtained from the event showed Adejoke carrying the child on June 29, 2026. Persons identified through the digital trail were subsequently invited for questioning, and their statements established that Adejoke Popoola was with the child around the time he disappeared. She was arrested on August 4, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. During interrogation, she reportedly admitted attending the masquerade festival and subsequently leaving the venue with the missing child.
Her statement, according to the police, provided the first major breakthrough in the investigation and opened the door to the discovery of a much wider criminal network. Adejoke disclosed that she had been involved 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 identified one Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as her partner in the alleged child-stealing business. Following the information provided by Adejoke, detectives traced Adekanbi Janet to Mowe, Ogun State, where she was arrested. During the operation, four children between the ages of two and four years were rescued from her custody, along with two pregnant young women. Adekanbi Janet reportedly admitted knowing Adejoke for about 10 years and acknowledged her involvement in the stealing and sale of children, though she denied having custody of the missing three-year-old boy, Ifakunle.
The investigation subsequently extended to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four more children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from their buyers. Two suspects, identified as Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested in connection with the operation and allegedly confessed to involvement in the criminal enterprise. The development confirmed the interstate nature of the syndicate and showed that children were being moved outside Oyo State as part of the network's activities.
The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the criminal operation. The police said the suspects disclosed that when a child died while in their custody, the body would allegedly be sold to ritualists. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist. Both suspects have allegedly confessed to involvement in the use of the victims for ritual purposes, according to the police.
The police said six children abducted by the syndicate died in captivity. The deceased children were identified as Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, 2; Greatness Adeagbo, 5; Sainat Amoo, 2; Taiwo Usman, 2; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, 7; and Miracle Olaniyi, 4. The 17 rescued children include Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; a nine-day-old infant; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Rejoice Divine, 3; Alhaji Divine, 5; Eniolorunda, 3; Victoria, 3; Isoma Prince, 3; Roqeeba, 4; Boluwatife, and others.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, who paraded the seven suspects on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, said the investigation revealed a disturbing pattern involving the identification, movement, sale and concealment of children, as well as other serious criminal activities. He urged parents whose children have gone missing to report immediately and visit the Command Headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children. The command also warned the public against handing children over to persons claiming to be traditional or spiritual healers, particularly when they demand that children be taken away or kept at undisclosed locations. CP Olugbenga said the police, in collaboration with other security and government agencies, would continue investigating the network, locating other missing children and ensuring that those found culpable face the law.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments