Oyo Police Rescue 17 Children, Arrest Seven Over Child-Trafficking Syndicate

The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected child-stealing and human-trafficking syndicate operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta states, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects.

The investigation began after three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro disappeared during a masquerade festival in Oyo Town on June 29, 2026.

Police arrested Adejoke Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, on August 4 and said her interrogation led investigators to a wider network allegedly involved in stealing, moving and selling children.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children and two pregnant young women were rescued. Ifakunle was later found and rescued in the Gbagi area of Ibadan on August 20.

On September 2, detectives extended the operation to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo were rescued. Two suspected buyers, Christopher Joy and Rosemary Jesse, were arrested.

Police also said the investigation uncovered allegations that some children who died while in the syndicate’s custody were transferred to persons suspected of involvement in ritual activities. Six children have reportedly been confirmed dead, with police continuing efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu commended the Oyo Command and directed officers to dismantle the entire network, locate more missing children and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.

19 parties sign accord to ensure peaceful 2027 elections in Kogi
Published

on

September 8, 2026
19 parties sign accord to ensure peaceful 2027 elections in Kogi
Nineteen political parties in Kogi State have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.

An engagement between the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security and political parties, held at the Kogi State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday, saw representatives of 19 parties sign the peace accord to ensure a peaceful electoral environment in the state.

Under the agreement, the parties and their candidates are to base their campaigns on policies, programmes, manifestos and issues affecting the people of Kogi State for the overall development of the state.

Some of the parties that participated in the peace accord included the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Action Alliance (AA) and others.

They also pledged that their campaign platforms would stand against hatred, ethnic or religious division, personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric and incitement.

The political parties also rejected the use of sponsorship or mobilisation of individuals and groups for electoral violence, intimidation, threats or disruption of political activities, and agreed to take reasonable steps to ensure that their supporters and campaign organisations conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.

The parties also committed themselves to respecting the independence and lawful functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions responsible for administering and securing elections.

They therefore promised to cooperate with electoral and security authorities to ensure peaceful elections while exercising restraint in public statements, speeches, broadcasts and social media communications.

The accord also rejected the deliberate circulation of false information, inflammatory messages, threats or other content capable of provoking violence or undermining public confidence in the electoral process. The parties agreed to respect the rights of rival political parties and candidates to campaign and participate in the electoral process without obstruction, harassment, threats or unlawful interference.

The parties also committed to protecting the rights of eligible citizens to participate freely in elections without intimidation, coercion, harassment or discrimination, saying that no party, candidate or supporter shall unlawfully interfere with a voter’s freedom to choose a candidate of their preference.

The parties agreed to respect lawful procedures for the announcement and declaration of results after the election, pointing out that any candidate or party dissatisfied with an electoral decision should seek redress through available legal and constitutional mechanisms rather than resorting to violence or self-help.

The commitment, according to the parties, would continue beyond the declaration of results, with all political actors expected to discourage retaliation, reprisal attacks, destruction of property and other forms of post-election violence.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by officials of the Kogi State Police Command, INEC, representatives of other security agencies, civil society and election observer groups, as well as religious institutions.

The stakeholders urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to uphold the spirit of the accord in the interest of peace and credible elections in the state.

*Headline Options for Print + Character Count*

1. *OAF Holds 13th Memorial Lecture Sept 14 In Honour Of Agagu*
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2. *Jonathan, Masisi For OAF 13th Memorial Lecture In Lagos*
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3. *OAF Honours Late Dr. Olusegun Agagu With 13th Lecture*
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4. *Civic Centre To Host OAF 13th Memorial Lecture Sept 14*
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5. *‘Africa’s Resources, Africa’s Prosperity’ – Theme Of OAF Lecture*
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*News Print Rewrite – 210 words*

*LAGOS* — The Olusegun Agagu Foundation OAF will hold its 13th Memorial Anniversary Lecture on Monday, September 14, 2026, in honour of the late Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu, CON.

The lecture will take place at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, starting at 4.00pm, and will be followed by a cocktail hour.

Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, GCON, has been named Chairman of the occasion.

Delivering the keynote address is His Excellency, Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, former President of the Republic of Botswana.

The theme of this year’s lecture is _“Africa’s Resources, Africa’s Prosperity: Capturing More of the Value We Create.”_

The annual OAF Memorial Lecture was instituted to honour the memory and legacy of Dr. Agagu, a former Governor of Ondo State and Minister of Aviation, and to promote discourse on leadership, governance and national development.

Organisers said the 2026 edition marks the return of the lecture after a two-year break and is aimed at rekindling conversations around how Africa can better harness and retain value from its natural and human resources.

Dignitaries, policymakers, academics and members of the public are expected at the event.

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*40-Word Brief*
OAF will hold its 13th Memorial Lecture on Sept 14, 2026 at The Civic Centre, Lagos in honour of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu. Chairman is Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Keynote by ex-Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Theme: ‘Africa’s Resources, Africa’s Prosperity.’

Got you 👍

Here’s a *formal invitation press statement* for the OAF 13th Anniversary Memorial Lecture:

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*PRESS STATEMENT*
*OAF TO HOLD 13TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL LECTURE SEPTEMBER 14 IN LAGOS*
_Former President Goodluck Jonathan Proposed As Chairman, Ex-Botswana President Eric Masisi As Keynote Speaker_

The OAF Memorial Lecture is set to return with its 13th Anniversary Edition on *Monday, September 14, 2026* at *The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos*.

After a two-year break, the organisers said the 2026 edition is part of deliberate efforts to restore the annual tradition of intellectual discourse and national reflection that the OAF lecture series has come to represent.

For this year’s edition, *His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR*, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been proposed as *Chairman of the occasion*.

The *Keynote Speaker* is *His Excellency, Dr. Eric Masisi*, former President of the Republic of Botswana. President Masisi served as the fifth President of Botswana from 2018 to 2024, and previously as the eighth Vice President of Botswana from 2014 to 2018.

Speaking on the event, the organisers noted that the OAF Memorial Lecture has over the years provided a platform for thought leadership on governance, leadership and nation-building. The return of the lecture, they added, reflects a renewed commitment to engaging critical national and continental issues.

Members of the public, policymakers, academics, civil society leaders and the media are invited to attend.

Further details on the theme and full list of speakers will be announced in due course.