Oyo Police Bust Child Trafficking Network, 17 Children Rescued

(Suspects arrested. Photo by Oyo State Police Command)

Police in Oyo State have uncovered a criminal network involved in stealing and tr@ffick!ng children across state lines.

An investigation that began with a petition in late July led to the discovery of a much wider network.

So far, 17 children have been rescued and seven suspects arrested.

Six children are reported to have d!£d in the custody of their @bductors.

The investigation started when a woman was accused of various crimes.

While looking into her case, police learned about a missing three-year-old boy who had disappeared at a masquerade festival in Oyo Town.

This led detectives to uncover the bigger criminal operation.

The woman admitted to having stolen more than 15 children aged two to seven from churches, parties and event venues both within and outside Oyo State.

She worked with a partner who was arrested in Ogun State with four children in custody.

Police found that the stolen children were being held for sale, with some being moved to other states.

The investigation expanded when detectives travelled to Delta State and rescued four more children who had already been sold.

Two people were arrested there for their involvement in buying the children.

Disturbingly, the suspects admitted that when children d!£d in their care, the bodies were sold to people involved in ritual practices.

An Islamic cleric and a herbalist were arrested in connection with this.

Police are urging parents and guardians who have lost children recently to visit police headquarters in Ibadan to try to identify the rescued children.

They're also warning the public to be cautious of people claiming to be spiritual healers, especially if they want to take children away from families.