The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three women suspected to be members of a child-stealing syndicate and rescued three children during an intelligence-led operation in Ibafo.
The suspects are Kikelomo Jimoh, 36; Kayode Elizabeth; and Blessing Anochike, 60.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation followed an investigation into a reported case of child stealing, which led detectives attached to the Ibafo Division to arrest Jimoh.
Babaseyi said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to Anochike’s residence, where the three children were found and rescued.
The children were identified as Christiana Olowookere, 14; Olamilekan Abdulrasheed, 16; and Adeniji Rebecca, 12.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Christiana was allegedly sold for N500,000, while Olamilekan, who had earlier absconded from his parents, was allegedly abducted afterwards.
The circumstances surrounding the movement and custody of Rebecca are also being investigated by the police.
The PPRO said that the children are now safe, while the three suspects remain in custody.
He added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation to establish the full circumstances of the alleged offences, determine the roles played by each suspect and identify other persons who may be connected to the suspected criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ibafo detectives for their swift response and investigative efforts, describing the protection of children and other vulnerable persons as a priority of the command.
Ojajuni urged parents, guardians, community leaders, schools, transport operators and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, unexplained disappearances or unusual custody arrangements involving children.
He also assured residents that the command would continue to identify and dismantle criminal networks targeting vulnerable members of society.
