Traumatized mother searches for missing only child among rescued children in Oyo
A mother searching for her missing daughter has joined other parents at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, following the rescue of 17 children believed to be linked to an alleged trafficking operation.
Kate Egbewunmi, a resident of Osogbo in Osun State, reported that her four-year-old daughter, Bose, vanished 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,” Egbewunmi said.
The Oyo State Police Command has urged parents and guardians of missing children to come to the headquarters to help identify the rescued victims. Police Commissioner Abimbola Olugbenga reported that the investigation into an alleged child trafficking ring has led to the recovery of children from Oyo, Ogun, and Delta states.
The inquiry was initiated after a petition regarding conspiracy and cyberbullying revealed a larger scheme involving the abduction, sale, and concealment of children. A key suspect, Adejoke Popoola, known as Orente Alagbo, allegedly confessed to abducting more than 15 children aged two to seven, targeting churches, parties, and public events.
Additionally, investigators have uncovered potential ritualistic elements within the operation, with one suspect reportedly claiming that children who died while in captivity were sold to ritualists.
Authorities emphasized that efforts are ongoing to identify additional victims and track down other members of the trafficking syndicate. Parents of missing children have been encouraged to report to the police headquarters and provide any information that may assist with the investigation.
