The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a child-stealing and human-trafficking syndicate allegedly operating across state boundaries, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, disclosed this at a news briefing held at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

CP Abimbola said the breakthrough followed an intelligence-led investigation initiated by a petition from one Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo.

He said the investigation took a new dimension following the reported disappearance of a three-year-old boy, Ifakunle Ifagbenro, during an annual masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.

According to the Commissioner, pictorial and video evidence from the event showed Adejoke carrying the child shortly before both disappeared from the venue.

He said Adejoke was subsequently arrested and allegedly confessed to stealing more than 15 children, aged between two and seven years, from churches, parties and other event venues within and outside Oyo State.

The suspect reportedly identified Janet Adekanbi, also known as Hosanna, as her accomplice.

Janet was later arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children, aged between two and four years, were rescued. Two pregnant young women were also reportedly found at the location.

The investigation, according to the Commissioner, was subsequently extended to Agbor in Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from suspected buyers.

Two suspects, Joy Christopher, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested in connection with the operation.

CP Abimbola said the investigation had also uncovered an alleged link between the child-stealing syndicate and ritual activities.

He disclosed that two other suspects, an Islamic cleric, Muritala Fasasi, and a herbalist, Yakubu Azeez, were arrested following revelations that children who died while in the custody of the traffickers could allegedly be sold to ritualists.

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The Commissioner said the Command had so far rescued 17 children, while six others were reported to have died while in the custody of their alleged abductors.

He appealed to parents and guardians who had lost children in recent times to visit the Oyo State Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families.

CP Abimbola also cautioned members of the public against individuals posing as traditional or spiritual healers who attempt to separate children from their families or take them to undisclosed locations.

He assured the public that the Command would continue its investigation to identify other members of the syndicate and bring all those involved to justice.