6th July, 2026 | News

Audio Allegedly Captures Suspected Child Trafficker Taunting Father of Missing Three-Year-Old Ibrahim Owoduni

Fresh developments have emerged in the case of three-year-old Ibrahim Owoduni, who went missing in Lagos earlier this year, after audio recordings allegedly captured a man claiming to be involved in the child’s disappearance taunting the boy’s father and mocking efforts by security agencies to locate him.

The recordings, obtained by SaharaReporters, allegedly feature a man identifying himself as “Ibekwe”, who claimed he was speaking from Anambra State and asserted that the child was in his custody. During the conversation, the caller repeatedly mocked Ibrahim’s father, Ahmed Owoduni, while claiming that police investigations had failed to track him down.

According to the report, the suspect suggested that Ibrahim was being held in Anambra State and sarcastically challenged the child’s father to continue spending money on police efforts to find him.

At one point in the conversation, the caller allegedly asked whether the father wanted to speak to his son, before making remarks that appeared intended to taunt the distraught parent.

The suspect also reportedly referenced the arrest of a woman he described as his sister, who is believed to be among those currently in police custody in connection with the investigation. While claiming she was not directly responsible for the alleged trafficking, he reportedly suggested that authorities should release her in exchange for the child’s freedom.

The recordings have intensified concerns among investigators over the possible existence of an organised child trafficking network operating between Lagos and Anambra states.

Ibrahim disappeared on January 17, 2026, while reportedly playing outside his family’s residence in Iba New Site, Iyana Iba, Lagos State.

Following his disappearance, his family reported the case to the police and launched an extensive search with the help of community members and social media.

Police investigations later led to the arrest of several suspects after CCTV footage allegedly showed a neighbour leading the child away shortly before he went missing.

According to previous reports, one suspect allegedly confessed to handing the child over to another individual, while another suspect reportedly admitted to selling the boy for ₦1.5 million and taking him to a community in Ihiala, Anambra State.

The child’s father has also alleged that he personally funded a police operation to Anambra State in an attempt to recover his son. Despite the trip, however, officers reportedly returned to Lagos without locating the child or the alleged buyer.

As investigations continue, Ibrahim’s whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities have yet to announce a breakthrough in the search for the missing three-year-old.