Nigeria, Sept. 8 -- The Oyo State Police Command says it has uncovered an interstate child-stealing and trafficking network, rescuing 17 children and arresting seven suspects in an investigation that also revealed the alleged deaths of six other children while in the custody of the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, saying the investigation began with a petition but later exposed a wider criminal network allegedly involved in the stealing, movement, sale and concealment of children.

Mr Olugbenga said the investigation also uncovered allegations that the remains of children who died in the custody of their alleged abduc...