Police foil child theft operation, rescue three children in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three women suspected of belonging to a child-stealing syndicate and rescued three children in Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Kikelomo Jimoh, 36; Kayode Elizabeth; and 60-year-old Blessing Anochike.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babasiyi.

According to the statement, detectives from the Ibafo Divisional Headquarters arrested Jimoh after an intelligence-led investigation into a reported case of child stealing.

The police said the investigation led to Jimoh’s arrest, adding that she allegedly confessed during interrogation and led detectives to Anochike’s residence, where three children were rescued.

“Detectives attached to Ibafo Division of the Ogun State Police Command have busted a three-member suspected child-stealing gang, arresting Kikelomo Jimoh, ‘F’, 36; Kayode Elizabeth, ‘F’; and Blessing Anochike, ‘F’, 60, while rescuing three children in connection with the case,” the statement said.

The command said the rescued children were identified as Christiana Olowokere, 14; Olamilekan Abdurusheed, 16; and Adeniji Rebecca, 12.

It added that the circumstances surrounding the three children differed, with preliminary findings indicating that Christiana was allegedly sold for N500,000.

The statement said, “Investigation subsequently unravelled that the children were Christiana Olowokere, ‘F’, 14; Olamilekan Abdurusheed, ‘M’, 16; and Adeniji Rebecca, ‘F’, 12.

“Preliminary findings indicate that Christiana was allegedly sold for ₦500,000, while Olamilekan, who had earlier absconded from his parents, was subsequently allegedly abducted.”

The police said the circumstances surrounding Rebecca’s movement and custody had not yet been established.

“The circumstances surrounding the movement and custody of Adeniji Rebecca are also under investigation,” it said.

The command said the police intervention led to the children’s rescue and assured that they were now safe.

“The swift intervention of the Police ensured the timely rescue of the three children, who are now safe. The suspects remain in custody,” the statement said.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

“The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet and comprehensive investigation 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 statement said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives attached to the Ibafo Division for what he described as their swift response and investigative diligence.

The command quoted Ojajuni as reassuring residents that the police would continue to target criminal networks involved in exploiting vulnerable people.

“The CP reassures residents that the Command remains proactive and resolute in detecting, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks that target vulnerable members of society,” the statement said.

Ojajuni also called on parents, guardians, community leaders, schools, transport operators and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children.

He urged the public to report unexplained disappearances, suspicious movements and unusual custody arrangements, as well as activities suggesting the sale, abduction or exploitation of children.

“A child’s safety is everyone’s responsibility. See Something. Say Something. Stay Safe,” the statement quoted him as saying.

The command urged residents to report emergencies and credible information through its Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or its emergency numbers, 09164859299 and 09154293464

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