Police in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, have rescued four additional children in an expanding investigation into a suspected child-stealing, human trafficking, and baby-factory syndicate.
The latest operational successes bring the total number of children rescued from the network to 21, following an initial rescue of 17 victims and the arrest of several key suspects.
Oyo State Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed on Thursday, 17 September, that the breakthrough came after public broadcasts of earlier rescues prompted parents of missing children to step forward with fresh leads.
Subsequent interrogation of the principal suspect, identified as AdeJoke Popoola (also known as “Orente Alagbo”), led police intelligence units across state borders to execute targeted raids in Lagos and Delta states.
Key rescues carried out by police operatives include:
- Akoka, Lagos State: Three-year-old Taiwo Olamilekan was rescued on 3 September.
- Ikorodu, Lagos State: Aleemi Omogoriola Okuleye was recovered on 8 September.
- Agbor, Delta State: Two sisters, nine-year-old Adeyinka Ayomide and two-year-old Adeyinka Gold, who were originally stolen from their parents in Ogun State, were rescued on 14 September.
All four children have been formally identified and reunited with their biological families following verification procedures.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has ordered investigators to maintain momentum to uncover all remaining victims and dismantle the entire criminal network, while urging parents with missing children to contact law enforcement.
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