The Oyo State Police Command has rescued 17 children allegedly stolen and trafficked by a criminal network operating in Oyo and other states.
The breakthrough followed investigations into the disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, who disclosed this on Monday at the command headquarters in Eleyele, the investigation began after a petition was received on July 29.
He explained that Ifakunle disappeared after Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, allegedly offered to carry him during the festival.
Police later traced Popoola through photographs and videos recorded at the event. She was arrested on August 4 and reportedly admitted leaving the venue with the missing child.
The CP said Popoola’s statement led to a wider investigation into the alleged theft of more than 15 children aged between two and seven.
She identified Adekanbi Janet, popularly known as Hosanna, as an accomplice, who was later arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children and two pregnant women were found.
Olugbenga said the investigation also took detectives to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo were recovered from suspected buyers.
He said two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested during the operation.
The police boss added that two other suspects, Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, were arrested over allegations that children who died in custody were trafficked and sold to ritualists.
Olugbenga urged parents and guardians who have lost children to visit the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families.