Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered a suspected “baby factory” in the Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry.
The operation, conducted late Wednesday following three weeks of intelligence gathering, led to the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children. Two suspects, identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, were arrested for allegedly operating the facility.
Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, revealed on Friday that the suspects lured victims through Facebook advertisements. Preliminary investigations show that the victims, aged between 18 and 30, were offered between N500,000 and N1.8 million to surrender their newborns upon delivery.
“They run an illegal operation where women are either recruited while already pregnant or made pregnant with the intention of selling the babies,” Keshinro said. “Once the babies are born, they are taken from the mothers and sold to buyers.”
Among those rescued, one woman reportedly suffered a miscarriage, while others were found with infants already intended for sale.
The chief operator, Joy Okeke, admitted to running the facility but claimed she was facilitating “adoptions” for childless couples. She declined to provide further details regarding her fees without her lawyer present.
Some victims told newsmen they joined the facility due to financial hardship. One victim, identified as Joy, stated she opted for the arrangement after becoming pregnant by an “irresponsible man.” While victims claimed they were well-fed and allowed phone access, they were prohibited from leaving the premises.
Commandant Keshinro described the trade as a “grievous crime against humanity.” He confirmed that the suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution, while the victims would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.
