The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an alleged baby factory at Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children and arresting six suspects.
The operation was carried out on Monday by operatives of the Mowe Divisional Police Headquarters following sustained intelligence on suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities at a facility on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole.
According to the command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, the rescued pregnant women were identified as 23-year-old Ilesanmi Foluke, who is seven months pregnant, and 20-year-old Ejekwa Melody, who is eight months pregnant.
Four children, comprising two boys and two girls, were also rescued during the operation.
The suspects arrested were 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 detectives to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another victim, 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong, reportedly gave birth to a baby boy on August 20.
Effiong was receiving treatment at the hospital when operatives discovered that her newborn baby could not be accounted for. The attending nurse was subsequently arrested as investigations continued to locate the missing child.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation into the alleged activities of the syndicate and efforts to locate the missing newborn.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for their prompt response and operational efficiency.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, child exploitation and other forms of criminality across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information about suspicious activities to help the police protect vulnerable persons and communities.