The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three women suspected of belonging to a child stealing syndicate and rescued three children allegedly taken from their families in Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued to Friday in Abeokuta, noting that the arrests followed sustained intelligence-led investigation into a reported case of child stealing, which led detectives attached to the Ibafo Police Division to Jimoh.
“The investigation will establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the roles played by the suspects, and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged criminal enterprise,” he said.
Babaseyi identified the suspects as 36-year-old Kikelomo Jimoh, Kayode Elizabeth; and 60-year-old Blessing Anochike, noting that Jimoh allegedly confessed during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to Anochike’s residence, where the three children were found and rescued.
The rescued children were identified as Christiana Olowokere, 14; Olamilekan Abdurosheed, 16; and Rebecca Adeniji, 12.
Babaseyi said preliminary findings indicated that Olowokere was allegedly sold for N500,000, while Abdurosheed, who had earlier absconded from his parents, was allegedly abducted.
He said investigators were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement and custody of Adeniji.
The police spokesperson said the children had been rescued and were safe, while the suspects remained in police custody.
He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
“The investigation will establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the roles played by the suspects, and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged criminal enterprise,” Babaseyi said.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives for their swift response and investigative diligence.
Ojajuni urged parents, guardians, community leaders, schools, transport operators and other members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children.
He also reassured residents that the command remained committed to detecting and dismantling criminal networks targeting vulnerable members of society, urging residents to report unexplained disappearances, suspicious movements or unusual custody arrangements involving children.
“A child’s safety is everyone’s responsibility. See something; say something; stay safe,” he said.
The latest arrest comes amid a series of child-trafficking and suspected child-stealing cases recorded in the State. In May 2026, Ogun police arrested a couple in Mowe and rescued three children, including a four-month-old baby allegedly taken after the suspect offered to help the mother care for the child at a clinic.
Police said another rescued child had previously been declared missing in a 2024 child-stealing case.
In August 2026, police raided a suspected baby factory in Mowe, rescuing four children and two pregnant women and arresting six suspects over alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption. Investigators were also trying to trace a newborn allegedly missing after one of the rescued women gave birth at a hospital.
