Ogun Police Arrest Husband, Wife For Allegedly Running Child-Stealing Syndicate, Rescue Three Abducted Children In Mowe

Abeokuta, Ogun State– Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have dismantled a suspected child-stealing syndicate operating in Mowe, arresting a husband and wife and rescuing three stolen children, including a four-month-old baby allegedly taken from a nursing mother under false pretences.

The suspects, identified as Oluwarankami Kehinde Ugochukwu (female) and her husband, Ugochukwu Mathew (male), were apprehended by detectives attached to the Mowe Division following what authorities described as a “swift, intelligence-led operation.”

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the arrest was carried out by officers led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Afeniforo Folake.

Babaseyi said the operation was triggered by a distress report lodged at the Mowe Police Division on May 17, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m. by a resident of the Omo Onile area of Mowe, who narrated how her four-month-old baby was deceitfully taken away a day earlier.

The statement read, “The complainant reported that while she was receiving medical attention at a clinic in Mowe on 16/05/2026, one of the suspects, Oluwarankami Kehinde Ugochukwu, visited her under the guise of checking on her condition.

“In the process, she deceitfully collected the complainant’s four-month-old baby on the pretext of assisting with care while the mother rested, and thereafter absconded with the child.”

The police spokesperson explained that upon receiving the complaint, detectives were immediately mobilised, with surveillance mounted across motor parks and other strategic locations within the Mowe axis.

“Acting on credible intelligence, detectives tracked the suspects to their hideout at the Kekere Ekun area of Mowe on 18/05/2026 at about 7:55 p.m.,” Babaseyi disclosed.

“At the location, the stolen four-month-old baby was successfully rescued alongside two other children found in the possession of the suspects. The husband and wife were promptly arrested and taken into custody.”

Further findings by the police revealed a disturbing pattern in the suspects’ operations, suggesting the possibility of a wider child trafficking network.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the children found with the suspects had earlier been declared missing in a 2024 child stealing case.

“In that incident, the child was reportedly taken from a hairdressing salon using the same deceptive method of pretending to offer assistance to an unsuspecting caregiver.”

Police authorities confirmed that the biological parents of two of the rescued children have been contacted and have positively identified their children, raising hopes for reunification after what may have been months or years of separation.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran for what the police described as a “discreet and comprehensive investigation” aimed at uncovering the full scope of the syndicate’s activities and identifying possible accomplices.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the оперативность and professionalism displayed by officers involved in the operation.

“The Commissioner of Police commends the swift response, professionalism, and commitment of the officers and men of Mowe Division, whose proactive efforts led to the arrest of the suspects and rescue of the children,” the statement noted.

Ojajuni reiterated the Command’s resolve to intensify the crackdown on child trafficking, abduction, and other violent crimes across Ogun State, warning that criminal elements exploiting vulnerable families would face the full weight of the law.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities within their communities.