Nigerian police say 17 children rescued in kidnapping case
Police in Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria said they had uncovered an interstate network suspected of kidnapping and trafficking children. According to law enforcement, 17 children were rescued and seven suspects were arrested as part of the investigation. Police also reported the suspected deaths of six children who, according to their version, had been under the suspects’ control.
Oyo State Police Commissioner Abimbola Olugbenga told Premium Times Nigeria about the progress of the investigation. According to him, the investigation began after a report from Adejoke Popula dated July 29. On August 3, it was transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit, and investigators later learned about the disappearance of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during a masquerade festival in Oyo town on June 29.
Search for the missing boy
According to the police version, Popula was at the festival, picked the boy up, and later left the event with him. She was arrested on August 4 in Oyo State. Law enforcement said they reviewed photographs and videos from the festival and identified people indicated by the digital trail.
Police claim that after her detention, Popula stated her possible involvement in the kidnapping of more than 15 children aged between two and seven. According to investigators, the children may have been abducted from churches, parties, and other events in and outside Oyo State.
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Operations in Ogun and Delta
Police named Janet Adekanbi, known as Hosanna, as Popula’s alleged accomplice. In the town of Mowe in Ogun State, law enforcement officers said they rescued four children aged between two and four and two pregnant young women from her control. Ifakunle Ifagbenro was found, according to police, on August 20 in the Gbagi area of Ibadan.
On September 2, investigators traveled to Agbor in Delta State, where, according to police, they rescued another four children who were allegedly abducted in Oyo State. Joy Christopher, 48, and Rosemary Jessie, 53, were also arrested in connection with the case.
Law enforcement said that six children died while under the suspects’ control. According to police information, the suspects allegedly said that the remains of the dead children were sold to people whom law enforcement describes as suspects in ritual practices. In connection with these claims, police arrested Muritala Fasasi and herbalist Yakubu Aziz. The investigation is ongoing: law enforcement is establishing the full structure of the alleged network and searching for other missing children.
