The Abia State Police Command conducted a successful operation Thursday night, revealing a suspected “baby factory” in Aba, Abia State. During the raid, 16 pregnant girls, aged between 17 and 27, were rescued along with eight children. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the illicit operation.
In a press briefing held on Friday in Umuahia, the state capital, Command Public Relations Officer Maureen Chinaka disclosed the details of the operation. She explained that the rescue operation, conducted by police operatives from the Rapid Response Squad, uncovered the alleged “baby factory” operating within the commercial hub of Abia State.
Chinaka revealed that among the 16 rescued pregnant girls, 13 are from Akwa Ibom State, two from Cross Rivers, and one from Ebonyi State. Additionally, eight children, consisting of five males and three females, were rescued from the premises.
The suspects apprehended during the raid were identified as Onyinyechi Okoro, 29, and Ekene Okezie, 32. Okoro, originally from Ihechiowa Community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, and Okezie, from Aro-Ndizuogu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, are currently under police custody pending further investigation.
Chinaka emphasized that discreet investigations are ongoing, highlighting the insidious nature of baby factories, which often masquerade as orphanages. These facilities exploit vulnerable women, particularly teenagers, subjecting them to captivity, rape, and forced pregnancies. The newborns are then illegally sold to adoptive parents, while the victims are sometimes coerced into child labor and prostitution.
The investigation also revealed potential collusion between some officials of the Nigerian police and the judiciary in facilitating the illicit trade of newborns. The Abia State Police Command reassured the public of its commitment to eradicating such criminal activities and ensuring justice for the victims.