Husband, wife arrested for stealing four-month-old baby, other children

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a husband and wife, Ugochukwu Mathew and Oluwarankami Kehinde Ugochukwu, for their involvement in a child-stealing syndicate operating in the Mowe area of the state.

During the successful operation, police detectives rescued three stolen children, including a four-month-old baby.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

Babaseyi stated that the operation was initiated following a complaint lodged on May 17, 2026, at the Mowe Police Division.

The Eagle Online was made to understand that Oluwarankami had gone to visit the mother of the child who was sick and admitted in a clinic in Mowe on Saturday.

She tricked the mother into handing over the child, claiming she would care for the baby while the mother rested. But she absconded with the child. 

“Upon receipt of the report, detectives of the division were immediately mobilised.

“Motor parks and strategic locations within the area were placed under surveillance while intelligence-led operations were intensified.

“Acting on credible intelligence, detectives tracked the suspects to their hideout at Kekere Ekun area of Mowe on 18/05/2026 at about 7:55pm, where the stolen child was rescued alongside two other children found in their possession,” Babaseyi stated.

He added that the husband and wife suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

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“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the children found with the suspects had earlier been declared missing in a 2024 child-stealing case, in which the child was taken from a hairdressing salon using the same deceptive method of pretending to offer assistance.

“The biological parents of two of the rescued children have been contacted and have positively identified their wards,” the statement added.

Babaseyi said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the swift response, professionalism, and commitment of the officers and men of the Mowe Division.

CP Ojajuni noted that their proactive efforts led to the arrest of the suspects and rescue of the children.

He reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain the fight against child trafficking, abduction, and other violent crimes across the state.

Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or criminal activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines.

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