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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 18 sources · 14 days · First seen 17 days ago · Last updated 4 days ago

Child trafficking syndicates in Nigeria

Overview

Police operations in Nigeria have uncovered criminal syndicates involved in human trafficking and the illegal sale of children.

In late August 2026, the Ogun State Police Command dismantled a ‘baby factory’ syndicate in Mowe. The intelligence-led raid on a facility in Abaren Village resulted in the arrest of six suspects, including a nurse, and the rescue of two pregnant women and four children. Investigations also identified a missing newborn from a local hospital.

By early September 2026, the Oyo State Police Command dismantled a larger interstate syndicate operating across Oyo, Ogun, and Delta States. This operation rescued 17 children and led to the arrest of seven suspects. Authorities confirmed that six abducted children died while in the syndicate’s custody, with allegations that their bodies were sometimes transferred for ritual activities.

The investigation expanded from a petition filed on July 29, 2026, regarding cyberbullying and defamation into a broader probe of a network that stole and sold children from public venues. A key suspect, Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, allegedly confessed to involvement in a network active since October 2024. Popoola admitted to selling her own newborn and a set of twins to a clinic in Ogeere for 300,000 Naira. She further described tactics for stealing children, such as posing as a house renter or a spiritualist targeting parents of children with disabilities.

Entities

Mowe · Adekanbi Janet · Ibadan · Adejoke Popoola · Abaren Village

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The Oyo State Police Command rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects in a child trafficking operation. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · www.tori.ng
[● 4 SOURCES] Suspect Adejoke Popoola admitted to being involved in child trafficking activities since October 2024. thepodiummedia.com · osundefender.com · reportersatlarge.com · www.lindaikejisblog.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Popoola claimed she sold a newborn and a set of twins to a clinic in Ogeere for 300,000 Naira. thepodiummedia.com · osundefender.com · reportersatlarge.com · www.lindaikejisblog.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The trafficking network allegedly operated across Oyo, Ogun, and Delta States. 247ureports.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · www.tori.ng
[● 3 SOURCES] Six children died while in the custody of the trafficking syndicate. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · www.tori.ng
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation was triggered by a petition filed by Adejoke Popoola on July 29, 2026. gwg.ng · 247ureports.com · blueprint.ng
[● 2 SOURCES] Police arrested Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, in Ogun State. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Police rescued four children and arrested two suspects in Agbor, Delta State. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com

Timeline

4 days ago

[CRIME] 14 sources
Oyo State Police dismantle interstate child-trafficking syndicate
Oyo State Police dismantled an interstate child-trafficking syndicate, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects across Oyo, Ogun, and Delta States. Six children reportedly died in captivity.
17 days ago

[CRIME] 6 sources
Ogun State police dismantle baby factory syndicate in Mowe
Ogun State police dismantled a baby factory syndicate in Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects involved in suspected human trafficking.

Sources

247ureports.com · blueprint.ng · brainnewspaper.com · businesselitesafrica.com · gwg.ng · lindaikejisblog.com · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · newscentral.africa · osundefender.com · premiumtimesng.com · punchng.com · reportersatlarge.com · silverbirdtv.com · thepodiummedia.com · thepressradio.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · thisdaylive.com · tori.ng

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history