By
Gloria Josiah
The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a cross-state child trafficking syndicate after an intelligence-driven operation, leading to the rescue of 17 children and the arrest of 7 suspects.
The case began with reports of a missing 3-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who vanished during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026. Detectives traced and arrested a key suspect, Adejoke Popoola, also known as “Orente Alagbo,” on August 4, 2026.
During interrogation, Popoola confessed to abducting and transporting children taken from churches, parties, and public gatherings within and outside Oyo State. She also led investigators to Adekanbi Janet, alias “Hosanna,” who was picked up in Mowe, Ogun State. During that raid, police rescued 4 children and 2 pregnant young women.
Follow-up information from the suspects helped officers locate Ifakunle. He was found and rescued in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20, 2026. Further probe showed the network operated across multiple states.
On September 2, 2026, the operation moved to Agbor in Delta State. There, police rescued 4 more children believed to have been abducted from Oyo State. Two additional suspects, Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse, were arrested, confirming the interstate scope of the operation.
Investigators also uncovered claims linking the group to ritual activities involving deceased victims. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are now being questioned over alleged involvement in ritual killings. The Command said it has received reports that 6 children died while in the custody of the gang, and efforts are underway to verify the circumstances of those deaths.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, praised the Oyo Command for the operation. He ordered that the manhunt continue until the entire network is dismantled, more missing children are found, and all those responsible face prosecution.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons, breaking up criminal networks, and ensuring justice for victims of child-related crimes.
