Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a husband and wife over alleged child stealing in the Mowe area of the state and rescued three children found in their possession.
The suspects, identified as Oluwarankami Kehinde Ugochukwu and her husband, Ugochukwu Mathew, were arrested by detectives attached to the Mowe Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Afeniforo Folake.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the arrest followed a complaint made at the Mowe Police Division on May 17, 2026, by a woman whose four-month-old baby was allegedly stolen at a clinic in Mowe.
The police said the mother was receiving treatment at the clinic on May 16 when the female suspect reportedly approached her under the pretence of helping to care for the baby while she rested. The suspect allegedly disappeared with the child shortly afterwards.
Following the report, detectives launched an intelligence-led operation and placed motor parks and other strategic locations under surveillance. Acting on credible information, the police traced the suspects to their hideout at the Kekere Ekun area of Mowe on May 18, where the stolen baby was rescued.
Police also discovered two other children in the suspects’ custody during the operation. Investigations later revealed that one of the children had earlier been declared missing in a child stealing case reported in 2024.
The biological parents of two of the rescued children have reportedly identified and confirmed the children as their own.
The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers of the Mowe Division for their swift response and professionalism, adding that the command remains committed to fighting child trafficking, abduction and other crimes across the state.
The police also advised residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
