Police bust child-stealing gang, rescue three children in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has rescued a 14-year-old girl, Christiana Olowokere, who was reportedly sold for N500,000, along with two other children. The rescue took place in Ibafo following an investigation by detectives from the Ibafo Division into a suspected child-stealing ring.

The suspects, identified as Kikelomo Jimoh, 36; Kayode Elizabeth; and Blessing Anochike, 60, were apprehended by the police. According to the police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, Jimoh was initially arrested and confessed to the crime during questioning, leading detectives to the residence of Blessing Anochike, where the children were being held.

The rescued children are Christiana Olowokere, 14; Adeniji Rebecca, 12; and Olamilekan Abdurusheed, 16. Preliminary investigations revealed that Christiana was allegedly sold for N500,000, while Olamilekan, who had left his parents' home earlier, was abducted. The police are currently investigating how 12-year-old Adeniji Rebecca ended up in the custody of the suspects.

The suspects are currently in custody, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further probing. Ogun State Police Commissioner, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ibafo detectives for their swift intervention, which ensured the safe return of the three children. He also warned criminal gangs targeting children, urging parents, guardians, community leaders, schools, transport operators, and the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious incidents related to the sale, abduction, or exploitation of children.