Police rescue 17 children, confirm six died with trafficking gang

Police in Nigeria’s Oyo State have rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects after an investigation into a suspected network involved in stealing, trafficking and concealing children across state lines. The command also confirmed that six underage children abducted by the syndicate died in captivity.

Oyo State Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga disclosed the findings at a briefing at police headquarters in Ibadan. He said the investigation’s first major breakthrough came after detectives examined the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29.

According to the commissioner, Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, offered to carry the child during the event and then disappeared with him. Police arrested her on August 4 after reviewing photographs, video footage, digital trails and statements from people linked to the festival. Olugbenga said Popoola admitted attending the event and leaving with the child.

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The investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, of Sogade Area, Ariyo, Ibadan, over allegations bordering on conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character.

The commissioner said Popoola then allegedly disclosed that she had helped steal more than 15 children, aged between two and seven, from churches, parties and other venues in Oyo State and elsewhere. She reportedly identified Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as an alleged accomplice.

Police traced Adekanbi to Mowe in neighboring Ogun State, where they rescued four children aged between two and four from her custody and recovered two pregnant young women. Olugbenga said Adekanbi admitted knowing Popoola for about 10 years in connection with the alleged theft and sale of children, but denied holding Ifakunle.

The commissioner said Adekanbi told investigators that some stolen children were held pending sale, while the pregnant women were allegedly cared for. The investigation followed a petition submitted by Popoola on July 29 involving separate allegations, before detectives’ attention shifted to the child’s disappearance.

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Pictorial and video materials from the event showed Popoola carrying the missing child, while digital trails and statements obtained from persons connected to the event further established that she was with the child around the time of his disappearance.