Suspected member of a child trafficking syndicate has allegedly mocked the father of a three-year-old boy abducted in Lagos, claiming the child is alive in Anambra State while daring security agencies to find him.
The disturbing development follows the emergence of audio recordings in which the suspect, identified as “Ibekwe,” allegedly admits to transporting the missing child, Ibrahim Owoduni, to Anambra after the toddler was reportedly sold for ₦1.5 million.
During the phone conversation, the suspect repeatedly taunted the child’s father, Ahmed Owoduni, ridiculing ongoing police investigations and claiming that authorities had been unable to trace him despite months of efforts.
In the audio, the caller allegedly stated that he was the individual who brought the child to Anambra and sarcastically asked the distraught father if he wanted to speak with his son. He also challenged the father to continue spending money on police investigations, insisting that law enforcement would not be able to locate him.
The suspect further referenced the arrest of his sister, who is among those reportedly in police custody in connection with the case. While claiming she was not directly responsible for the alleged trafficking, he reportedly demanded her release in what appeared to be an attempt to negotiate an exchange for the child’s freedom.
The recordings have intensified concerns over the existence of an organised child trafficking network allegedly operating between Lagos and Anambra states.
Ibrahim Owoduni was reported missing on January 17, 2026, after disappearing while playing outside his family’s residence in Iba New Site, Iyana Iba, Lagos State.
According to the child’s father, the incident was immediately reported to the police, and a widespread search was launched.
Investigations later gained momentum after CCTV footage allegedly showed a resident of the area leading the toddler away shortly before his disappearance.
Police subsequently arrested several suspects, including Sadiq Ige, who allegedly confessed to handing the child over to another suspect, Adetayo Yusuf.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Vera Okon, who reportedly confessed to selling the child for ₦1.5 million and taking him to a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In an effort to recover his son, Ahmed Owoduni disclosed that he personally spent ₦500,000 to transport police officers and suspects from Lagos to Anambra for a rescue operation. However, the mission reportedly ended without locating the child or the alleged buyer.
The grieving father also claimed that the driver who conveyed the police team described the destination community as a “no-go area” allegedly known for child trafficking activities.
As of the time of filing this report, Ibrahim Owoduni remains missing, while investigations by security agencies continue.
