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From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ondo State police command has uncovered a baby factory and human trafficking syndicate operating in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The discovery followed the escape of a 17 year old pregnant girl, Vivian Peter from Akwa Ibom State, who was lured to Ore under the pretense of a job offer but later found herself trapped in a baby-selling operation.
Police spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the case was initially reported at Ore Police Division before it was transferred to the command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit for further investigation.
According to the statement “Vivian revealed that upon her arrival in Ore, she was taken to what was described as a clinic, but it turned out to be a baby factory where several other young pregnant girls were being held.
“She managed to escape while being taken for a medical scan and ran to the police for help.
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“Acting swiftly, operatives from Ore Division and the Gender Unit stormed the facility, rescuing five pregnant girls and a baby boy. One of the victims had already delivered and currently receiving post-natal care at the General Hospital, Ore, while others are in police protective custody.
“During interrogation, the suspected operator of the factory, identified as Ada Clement confessed that the babies were sold to buyers for between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000, depending on gender.
“Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal has ordered a full-scale investigation to apprehend all members of the trafficking network and bring them to justice,” the statement added.
The PPRO assured that detectives are already on the trail of other fleeing suspects connected to the operation.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stressing that the force will not tolerate any form of human trafficking, baby-selling, or exploitation of vulnerable persons.
