Officers from the Lagos State Police Command rescued four abducted children on May 8, 2026. The operation unfolded during a routine patrol near Alafia Bus Terminal in Coker-Orile.
Detectives spotted the four minors with an unidentified woman preparing to board an interstate bus. The woman was about to leave Lagos State with them when police arrived.
Upon seeing the officers, she bolted and left the children behind. SP Abimbola Adebisi, the command's spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement released Sunday morning.
Investigators determined the children had been taken from the Ijesha-Tedo locality. They were being smuggled out under cover of darkness, Adebisi noted.
Police placed all four into protective custody immediately. Officers then worked to locate their parents and relatives.
All four children have since been returned to their families safely. Adebisi confirmed the successful reunification on Sunday.
According to the PPRO, authorities continue pursuing the fleeing suspect. They're also tracking down others involved in what appears to be a trafficking ring.
Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai praised the patrol team's quick thinking. He commended their professionalism in handling the delicate rescue.
Fatai restated the command's priority: safeguarding lives and property statewide. He wants parents and guardians to stay alert about their children's movements.
He urged residents to report anything suspicious involving minors. Call the nearest police station or security agency immediately, he advised.
The commissioner said any information about child trafficking must be reported fast. Swift action by communities saves lives, he emphasized.
This rescue marks another win for Lagos police in combating child trafficking. The state has recorded similar operations in recent months.
Parents across Lagos are being urged to know their children's whereabouts at all times. Vigilance remains the best defense against kidnappers, authorities insist.
