By Peace Udugba
Operatives of the Mowe Division of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a husband and wife, identified as Oluwarankami Kehinde Ugochukwu and Ugochukwu Mathew, for their alleged involvement in child stealing and rescued three children from their custody in Mowe area of Ogun State.
The suspects were arrested by detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Afeniforo Folake, following a complaint lodged at the Mowe Division on May 17, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m.
According to the police, the complainant, a resident of Omo Onile area in Mowe, reported that while she was receiving treatment at a clinic on May 16, 2026, Oluwarankami visited her under the pretense of checking on her health condition. The suspect allegedly gained the woman’s trust and collected her four-month-old baby, claiming she wanted to assist in caring for the child while the mother rested, before absconding with the baby.
Following the report, detectives immediately launched an intelligence-led operation. Motor parks and other strategic locations within the area were placed under surveillance as efforts intensified to track down the suspects.
Police investigations later led detectives to the suspects’ hideout at Kekere Ekun area of Mowe on May 18, 2026, at about 7:55 p.m., where the stolen baby was rescued alongside two other children found in the couple’s possession. The suspects were subsequently arrested.
Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the rescued children had earlier been declared missing in a 2024 child stealing case. The child was reportedly taken from a hairdressing salon through a similar deceptive method, where the suspect pretended to be offering assistance.
The police further disclosed that the biological parents of two of the rescued children have been contacted and have positively identified their children.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers and men of the Mowe Division for their swift response, professionalism, and commitment, which led to the successful rescue of the children and arrest of the suspects.
The police boss reiterated the Command’s determination to continue the fight against child trafficking, abduction, and other violent crimes across the state.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or criminal activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines.
