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The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled an illegal ‘baby factory’ syndicate in Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two heavily pregnant women and four children, and arresting six suspects.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Opeyemi Oluborode disclosed this in a Tuesday statement.
According to the command, the intelligence-led operation was carried out by operatives of the Mowe Division at about 8:00am on Monday, August 24 at a hideout on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village via Gbarinmole, a suburb of Mowe.
The police said preliminary investigation revealed that human trafficking and illegal adoption activities had been systematically occurring at the facility over time.
During the raid, operatives safely rescued two pregnant victims: Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who is seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who is eight months pregnant.
Four young children, two males and two females, were also recovered from the scene.
Six suspects were arrested, namely Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.
The police said further intelligence-led follow-up operations led operatives to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another victim, Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, had given birth to a baby boy on August 20.
The police revealed that while the mother was receiving medical treatment, the whereabouts of the newborn could not be accounted for, prompting the arrest of the attending nurse to aid in locating the infant.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s activities, locate the missing newborn, and ensure prosecution of all culpable suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operational efficiency and prompt response of the Mowe Division operatives.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to stamping out human trafficking, child trading, and all forms of violent crime across Ogun State.
Ojajuni urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information, assuring that the command will sustain intelligence-led policing to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens.
Members of the public were advised to report suspicious persons or activities through Gateway Shield Toll-Free: 0800 000 9111 and Emergency Lines: 09164859299, 09154293464.
