A sixty three year-old woman in Abia State, South East Nigeria has been arrested by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for allegedly operating a baby factory,
The suspect, identified as Chinyere Nkwocha, was said to be running in the Umuafai Ndume Ibeku area of Umuahia North Local Government of the State in the metropolis.
NAPTIP said the alleged baby factory was uncovered by operatives of the Abia State Command of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).
The victims, aged between One and 24 years, included seven young girls, six of whom are pregnant, one lactating mother, and two boys who are minors.
NAPTIP in a statement explained that both the suspects and the victims have been handed over to its Abia State Liaison Office for further investigation and appropriate actions.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, expressed concern over the increasing incidents of the buying and selling of babies and the proliferation of baby factories across the country.
She noted that in recent times, there have been alarming reports and public outcry regarding the sale of babies and the existence of facilities specializing in trapping young girls, recruiting men to impregnate them, and subsequently sell the babies after delivery.
NAOTIP in the statement signed by its Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent, stated that the factories operate covertly and prey on the desperation and vulnerability of unsuspecting victims.
The Director-General, while commending the Abia State Command of the DSS for the successful operation, urged the public, especially parents, to be vigilant and ensure that their wards do not fall victim.
She also encouraged communities to continue collaborating with Law Enforcement Agencies in combating the crime by reporting all cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP or the nearest security agency.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
