Oyo State Police: Six Child Trafficking Deaths Confirmed, 17 Rescued

• The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the deaths of six underage children abducted by a child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate.
• Seventeen other children were rescued, and seven suspects were arrested in connection with the criminal network.
• The investigation began with a petition and led to the rescue of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro, who had disappeared from a masquerade festival.
• The syndicate operated across state lines, with children abducted from various public venues and moved between Oyo, Ogun, and Delta States.
• Police uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the criminal activities, with one suspect reportedly confessing to this aspect.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the tragic deaths of six underage children who had been abducted by a suspected child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic deaths of six underage children who had been abducted by a suspected child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate. This grim discovery emerged as authorities successfully rescued seventeen other children and apprehended seven individuals believed to be involved in the criminal enterprise. The comprehensive investigation, spearheaded by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, uncovered a sophisticated network operating across state lines, engaged in the illicit trade and concealment of children.

The extensive police operation was initiated following a petition filed on July 29, 2026, by Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, from the Sogade Area of Ariyo, Ibadan. Her complaint detailed allegations of conspiracy, cyberbullying, threats to life, and defamation of character. The Anti-Kidnapping Squad took charge of the petition on August 3, and during their examination of the circumstances, attention was drawn to the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, on June 29.

Ifakunle had vanished during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town, where he was attending with his father at his grandfather's family compound. Adejoke Popoola, who had arrived two days prior to assist with event preparations, offered to carry the child during the festivities. Both Popoola and Ifakunle subsequently disappeared from the venue, prompting a report to the Atiba Police Divisional Headquarters in Oyo Town. Photographic and video evidence from the event, along with digital trails and witness statements, conclusively placed Popoola with the missing child around the time of his disappearance.

Popoola was arrested on August 4 and admitted to attending the masquerade festival and leaving with Ifakunle. Her confession provided a critical breakthrough, revealing her involvement in the abduction of over fifteen children, aged between two and seven years, from various locations such as churches, parties, and other event venues both within and outside Oyo State. She further identified Adekanbi Janet, known as Hosanna, as her accomplice in these alleged criminal activities.

Following Popoola's revelations, investigators traced Adekanbi Janet to Mowe in Ogun State. There, police successfully rescued four children, aged between two and four years, from her custody. In a disturbing turn, two pregnant young women were also recovered during the operation. Adekanbi admitted to a decade-long association with Popoola in the alleged stealing and selling of children, although she denied having custody of Ifakunle Ifagbenro. She disclosed that some stolen children were held pending sale, while the pregnant women were allegedly cared for until they delivered.

Information gleaned from Adekanbi proved instrumental in locating Ifakunle, who was eventually rescued in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20. The investigation's scope broadened significantly beyond Oyo State, confirming the interstate nature of the syndicate's operations. On September 2, detectives traveled to Agbor in Delta State, where they rescued four more children, who had allegedly been stolen from Oyo State, from their suspected buyers.

In Delta State, two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were apprehended. Both allegedly confessed to their involvement in the illicit child trafficking business, further solidifying evidence of children being moved across state lines as part of the criminal enterprise. The police commissioner also revealed that the ongoing investigation uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the syndicate's activities, with one of the arrested suspects reportedly confessing to this aspect.

The confirmed deaths of six children underscore the severe and life-threatening risks associated with child trafficking. The victims, all underage, were held captive by the syndicate, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of those targeted by such criminal networks. The successful rescue of seventeen children, ranging from two to seven years old, offers a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy, demonstrating the police's commitment to dismantling these operations.

The arrests of seven suspects, including key figures like Adejoke Popoola and Adekanbi Janet, represent a significant blow to the child trafficking ring. The revelations of children being abducted from public gatherings like churches and parties, and the confirmed interstate movement of victims, paint a stark picture of the pervasive nature of this crime. The Oyo State Police Command continues its efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of children across the region.

Source: Original reporting via the Oyo State Police Command