By Julius Peter
The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged child-stealing and human trafficking network operating across several states, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects in an intelligence-led investigation coordinated by the Oyo State Command.
The operation, which began following the disappearance of a three-year-old boy during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town, Oyo State, has reportedly exposed a wider criminal network allegedly involved in the stealing, movement and sale of children across state boundaries.
According to the police, the investigation began after three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro reportedly disappeared during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.
The disappearance triggered an extensive investigation by detectives attached to the Oyo State Command. After weeks of intelligence gathering and investigative activities, the police identified and arrested a woman, Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, on August 4.
Police authorities said Popoola’s arrest proved to be a major breakthrough in the investigation, as she allegedly disclosed her involvement in the stealing, transportation and sale of children.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, Popoola told investigators that children were allegedly targeted at churches, parties and other public events both within and outside Oyo State.
Her disclosures reportedly provided investigators with additional leads, eventually leading them to another suspect, Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, who was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State.
The police said four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from Janet’s custody during the operation.
The rescue operation subsequently brought investigators closer to locating Ifakunle, whose disappearance had triggered the probe.
Following further investigative efforts, the missing boy was eventually located and rescued in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20, according to the police.
What initially appeared to be a case centred around the disappearance of one child subsequently developed into an investigation involving multiple states.
The police said information obtained from the suspects and other aspects of the investigation revealed that the alleged criminal network extended beyond Oyo and Ogun states.
Acting on the emerging intelligence, detectives on September 2 extended the operation to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued.
Two suspects, identified by the police as Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse, were arrested in connection with the operation.
The arrests and recovery of the children, according to the police, provided further evidence of the alleged interstate dimension of the network.
The development has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of children in crowded public spaces, particularly places where large numbers of people gather for religious, social and cultural events.
The investigation also took a more disturbing turn following allegations that some victims who died while in the custody of members of the network were allegedly transferred to individuals involved in ritual activities.
The police said this line of investigation led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi and Yakubu Azeez, who are currently being investigated over allegations concerning the use of victims for ritual purposes.
However, the police have not stated that the allegations have been established in court, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the suspected deaths remain ongoing.
The Command also disclosed that it had received information concerning six children who allegedly died while in the custody of members of the network.
Police authorities said investigators were working to establish the identities of the children, the circumstances of their reported deaths and the precise roles allegedly played by members of the network.
The latest disclosure adds another dimension to an already complex investigation, with detectives expected to trace the movement of victims and establish whether the alleged deaths were connected to the broader trafficking operation.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the Oyo State Command for the breakthrough and directed investigators to sustain the operation until the entire network is dismantled.
The Inspector-General also directed that efforts be intensified to locate additional missing children and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought before the law.
The police said the investigation remains ongoing, suggesting that more arrests and recoveries could follow as detectives pursue additional leads and attempt to identify other members of the alleged network.
The rescue of the 17 children represents a significant development in the investigation, but authorities face the additional task of identifying the rescued children, tracing their families and ensuring their safety and psychological wellbeing.
The case also underscores the challenges faced by law-enforcement agencies in combating organised child trafficking, particularly where criminal networks operate across multiple jurisdictions and exploit vulnerable children and families.
Child trafficking and child stealing remain serious concerns because victims can be moved quickly from one location to another, making recovery increasingly difficult once they are removed from their communities.
The alleged use of churches, parties, festivals and other crowded events as locations for targeting children, as disclosed in the police investigation, also highlights the need for parents, guardians and event organisers to maintain heightened vigilance whenever children are in large gatherings.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to keep children within sight, establish clear identification and contact arrangements, and immediately report suspected disappearances to security agencies.
For the Nigeria Police Force, the Oyo investigation is now more than a single missing-child case. It has developed into a wider effort to identify and dismantle what authorities describe as an interstate criminal network allegedly involved in child stealing and trafficking.
The police said it would continue to work with relevant authorities and communities to locate other missing children, investigate the reported deaths and bring suspects before the courts where sufficient evidence is established.
Reaffirming its commitment to child protection, the Nigeria Police Force said it would continue to pursue criminal networks involved in crimes against children and other vulnerable persons.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law-enforcement agencies by providing credible information that could assist investigations and prevent further victimisation.
In a statement sign by CSP Ani Iniedu, aniprForce Public Relations OfficerForce Headquarters, AbujaSeptember 7, 2026
