The Lagos State Police Command over the weekend discovered a baby factory in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb.
According to the police command, the victims who are between the ages of 15 and 28 were said to have been kept at four different locations in Isheri-Osun and Ikotun where they were being ripped off their babies and sold for between N300,000 to N500,000 depending on the sex of the baby.
Nineteen pregnant girls and a day-old-baby rescued. The girls were said to have been lured to the state with the promise of helping them get jobs as house helps.
According to the Lagos State Police Spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, detectives acted on a tip off at about 4pm on September 19 and stormed 14, Adisa Street, Ayanwale in Ikotun, 32 Owosho Street, Governor Road, Ikotun, 29, Olugbeyohun Street, Olakunle Bus Stop Abaranja and 4/6 Anomo Street, Abaranja.
He said the places were suspected to have been used for child trafficking, adding that two suspects Happiness Ukwuoma, 40 and Sherifat Ipeya, 54 were arrested in connection with the case.
“The suspects did not receive formal medical training but operate as nurses. The suspects are natives of Imo and Epe, Lagos States. The command has launched a manhunt of the principal suspect Madam Oluchi from Mbano in Imo State.
“She is a mother of five. The young women were mostly abducted by the suspects for the purpose of getting them pregnant and selling the babies to potential buyers. The girls were tricked with employment as domestic staff in Lagos. The suspects sold boys N500,000 and girls N300,000.
“The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Zubairu Muazu, has visited the scene and ordered the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) to take over the case.
“The command is working with other agencies and stakeholders in rehabilitating and resettling the pregnant girls and the babies. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court,” he said.
More so, one of the victims, Hope Bright from Rivers State who narrated her ordeal said her two-year-old child whom she came with from the village was snatched from her.
“As I reached there, the woman checked me. Suddenly, my stomach started kicking me. From there, they said that I will born.
“They took me to the hospital, God helped me I delivered that child, but the baby died,” she said.
When asked where the baby is, Bright who broke down in tears said: “They collected the baby from me, I did not see that child again.”
