Mother Searches for Missing Daughter Among 17 Children Rescued in Oyo

A distraught mother, Kate Egbewunmi, has joined other parents at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, in search of her missing four-year-old daughter. Egbewunmi, who lives in Osogbo, Osun State, said her daughter, Bose, disappeared about three months ago while playing outside their home.

Egbewunmi said she travelled to Ibadan after hearing that police had rescued a group of children believed to be connected to an alleged trafficking operation. As a single mother whose daughter is her only child, she is hoping that the police identification process will determine whether Bose is among the rescued children.

The Oyo State Police Command has urged parents and guardians whose children are missing to visit its headquarters and assist investigators with identification. Police Commissioner Abimbola Olugbenga said investigations into the alleged trafficking network had resulted in the rescue of 17 children across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states.

According to investigators, the inquiry began with a petition concerning alleged conspiracy and cyberbullying before uncovering a wider operation involving the alleged abduction, sale and concealment of children. Police identified Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, as a key suspect and said investigations were continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged network.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to identify additional victims, locate other people allegedly connected to the operation and reunite rescued children with their families. Parents of missing children have been encouraged to provide relevant information to investigators as the police continue working to establish the identities and backgrounds of the rescued children.