A petition over cyberbullying has led the Oyo State Police Command to uncover a child-stealing and human trafficking syndicate operating across state lines, with the arrest of seven suspects and rescue of 17 children.
The breakthrough came after the principal suspect, Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, confessed during interrogation that she had been involved in stealing more than 15 children aged between 2 and 7 years from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, disclosed this on Sunday, September 7, 2026, during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
How The Case Started
According to CP Olugbenga, the investigation began on July 29, 2026, following a petition submitted by Popoola herself. The petition bordered on conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation of character.
The case was assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on August 3, 2026. While reviewing the petition, detectives noticed the disappearance of a 3-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, at a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.
Pictorial and video evidence from the event showed Popoola carrying the child before both of them disappeared from the venue. She was arrested on August 4, 2026, and admitted she attended the festival and left with the missing child.
Confession Opens Wider Network
During interrogation, Popoola made what the CP described as “the first major breakthrough.” She confessed to stealing over 15 children and named Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as her partner.
Acting on the lead, police traced and arrested Janet in Mowe, Ogun State. Four children aged 2-4 and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody.
Janet also admitted to knowing Popoola for about 10 years in the business, but denied having custody of Ifakunle. She provided clues that led detectives to rescue Ifakunle on August 20, 2026, in the Gbagi area of Ibadan.
Interstate Links and Ritual Allegations
The investigation later extended to Agbor, Delta State, on September 2, 2026, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from their buyers. Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested and confessed to their involvement, confirming the interstate dimension of the network.
Popoola also allegedly confessed that if any child died in their custody, the body would be sold to ritualists. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Alfa, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, both of whom have confessed to involvement in using victims for ritual purposes. A seventh suspect, Ismaila Alabede, was also arrested.
The Command said six children reportedly died while in the custody of the network. Efforts are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the deaths.
17 Children Rescued
The rescued children include Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Boluwatife Odedeyi, 3; Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade, 7; and others.
CP Olugbenga called on parents and guardians who have lost children recently to visit the Command Headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify and reunite with the rescued children.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report cases of missing children promptly, warning parents to be cautious of persons posing as traditional or spiritual healers who seek to take children to undisclosed locations.
“The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that justice is served in accordance with the law,” the CP said.
