By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged interstate child-stealing and trafficking network operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta States, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday night.
According to Iniedu, the investigation began after three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro went missing during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.
Police detectives arrested Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, on August 4.
The police said Popoola confessed to her alleged involvement in the stealing, movement and sale of children from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
Her disclosures reportedly led detectives to Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, who was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State.
Four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody, according to the police.
Further investigation led detectives to Ifakunle, who was rescued in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.
The police subsequently traced the alleged network to Delta State.
The statement said that in Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, detectives rescued four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State and arrested Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse.
The police said investigations also uncovered allegations that some deceased victims were transferred to persons involved in ritual activities.
This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are being investigated over the alleged use of victims for ritual purposes.
The Force further said it received information that six children allegedly died while in the custody of members of the network.
Iniedu said investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the Oyo State Command for the breakthrough.
Disu directed the police to sustain efforts to dismantle the network, locate more missing children and bring anyone found culpable to justice, according to Iniedu.
The police said the operation underscores its commitment to protecting children and dismantling networks involved in child-related crimes.
