Traumatized mother searches for missing only child among rescued children in Oyo

A distraught mother, Ms. Kate Egbewunmi, has joined scores of parents at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, hoping to reunite with her missing child following the rescue of 17 children linked to an alleged trafficking syndicate.

Egbewunmi, a resident of Osogbo, Osun State, said her four-year-old daughter, Bose, disappeared three months ago while playing outside their home.

“I am a single mother. Bose is my only child. I heard some children had been rescued and came here hoping to find her,” she said.

The Oyo State Police Command had urged parents and guardians of missing children to visit its headquarters to identify any of the rescued victims.

Police Commissioner Abimbola Olugbenga disclosed that investigations into an alleged child trafficking network led to the rescue of 17 children across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states.

He said the probe commenced after a petition on conspiracy and cyberbullying later uncovered a wider operation involving child abduction, sale and concealment.

According to the police, a key suspect, Adejoke Popoola, popularly known as Orente Alagbo, allegedly confessed to stealing more than 15 children between the ages of two and seven from churches, parties and public gatherings.

Investigators also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension to the operation, with one suspect reportedly claiming that children who died in captivity were sold to ritualists.

The police said efforts are ongoing to identify more victims, track other members of the syndicate and reunite rescued children with their families.

Parents of missing children have been encouraged to report to the command headquarters and provide information that could aid ongoing investigations.