The Ekiti State Police Command has announced the arrest of 17 suspected cattle rustlers and the recovery of 558 cattle across different operations in the state.
The Command also confirmed the arrest of five suspects linked to the operation of an illegal baby factory and child exploitation along Ise Road in Ikere-Ekiti.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Eribo, disclosed that the arrests followed credible intelligence received by the command.
According to Eribo, one Ibrahim Abubakar, described as a notorious cattle rustler and kidnapper, was apprehended on January 21, 2026, during a targeted operation.
“During investigation, Ibrahim Abubakar confessed that he is into cattle rustling business, and equally mentioned different occasions in the past where he attacked cattle owners and made away with their cattle.
“A large number of rustled cattle numbering two hundred and fifty-five(255) were recovered from him. He will be further investigated and charged in court.”
The police boss further revealed that investigations showed Abubakar had been involved in cattle rustling activities across Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi states over the years and had remained on the wanted list of all three states.
Eribo added that 16 other suspected rustlers were arrested on the same day. They include Dauda Abdulrahman, Sanusi Abdullahi, Abdulmumini Abdullahi, Ibrahim Adamu, Aladu, Umaru Bala, Idris Abdullahi, Umaru Dairu, Adamu Abubakar, Salisu Abdullahi, Idris Abdullahi, Yahuza Abdulrahman, Abdullahi Salisu, Samaila Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Sanni Muhammadu.
He said that at the point of arrest, three hundred and three (303) cattle believed to have been rustled were recovered from the suspects, who were unable to give a satisfactory explanation for their possession.
In a separate operation, the police also uncovered an illegal baby factory in Ikere-Ekiti on January 24, 2026, following another credible tip-off.
The Commissioner disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that one Oluwadare Onyechi, a 43-year-old woman, was allegedly operating the illegal facility with four other accomplices behind Inisa Hotel and Suites along Ise-Ekiti Road.
“Upon the receipt of the information, the Command Operatives swung into action, cordoned off the premises used for the illegal business, and arrested Oluwadare Onyechi and four other accomplices namely, Onuoha Gloria ’28 yrs’, Victoria Linus ’25 yrs’, Ihegbogu Mercy ’21 yrs’ and a heavily pregnant Emmanuel Esther ’23yrs’.
“Search was conducted in the premises, and six children between the ages of two and nine reasonably suspected to be under bondage and exploitation were rescued. Items such as baby delivery materials, some rolls of dexamethasone tablets, and some bottles of Goya oil were recovered from the scene,” the police said.
