Operatives of the Mowe Division of the Ogun State Police Command have dismantled an alleged illegal baby factory in Abaren Village, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, arresting six suspects and rescuing two pregnant women and four children.
Drivetvnews gathered that the operation was carried out on Monday, August 24, at about 8 a.m. at a suspected syndicate hideout on Toluwalase Street, following sustained intelligence received by the police.
According to the command, preliminary investigations indicated that human trafficking and illegal adoption activities had allegedly been taking place at the facility for some time.
The suspects arrested comprised three women and three men: Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Oseni Kusamotu Idaya; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; and Stephen Ogbona, 39. Magdalene Julius was identified as an attending nurse.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, said officers rescued two pregnant women during the raid.
They were identified as Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who was seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who was eight months pregnant.
Four children, comprising two boys and two girls, were also recovered from the location.
Opeyemi disclosed that further intelligence-led operations took officers to a hospital within the Mowe area, where another alleged victim, Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, had given birth to a baby boy on August 20.
He said the mother was receiving medical treatment, but the whereabouts of her newborn could not be established.
The development led to the arrest of the attending nurse to assist investigators in locating the missing baby.
The police said the case is being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The investigation is expected to determine the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s activities, locate the missing newborn and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, child trading and other forms of violent crime across Ogun State.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information to assist ongoing efforts to protect citizens.
