A 14-year-old girl, Christiana Olowokere, was allegedly sold for N500,000 as the Ogun State Police Command busted a three-member suspected child-stealing gang in the Ibafo area of the state.
The police arrested three women identified as Kikelomo Jimoh, 36; Kayode Elizabeth; and Blessing Anochike, 60, while rescuing Christiana and two other children in connection with the case.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi, the breakthrough followed sustained intelligence-led investigation into a reported case of child stealing, which led to Jimoh’s arrest.
During the investigation, Jimoh allegedly confessed and led detectives to the residence of Anochike, where the three children were rescued.
The children were identified as Christiana, 14; Olamilekan Abdurusheed, 16; and Adeniji Rebecca, 12.
According to preliminary findings, Christiana was allegedly sold for N500,000, while Olamilekan, who had earlier absconded from his parents, was subsequently allegedly abducted.
The circumstances surrounding Rebecca’s movement and custody are also under investigation.
The police said the three children were rescued safely following the intervention of detectives attached to Ibafo Division.
The suspects remain in custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The investigation is expected to establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the individual roles of the suspects and identify any other persons connected to the alleged criminal enterprise.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ibafo detectives for their swift response, investigative diligence and commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons.
He urged parents, guardians, neighbours, community leaders, schools, transport operators and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report unexplained disappearances, suspicious movements or unusual custody arrangements involving children.
The CP also reassured residents that the Command remained committed to detecting, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks targeting vulnerable members of society.
