Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered a baby factory in the Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children, and arresting two suspects identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu.
The operation, carried out between Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday, followed actionable intelligence and three weeks of surveillance led by the Divisional Officer of Badagry Division, Chief Superintendent of Corps Ekunola Gbenga.
Investigations revealed that the victims, aged between 18 and 30, were lured through offers on the Facebook, where they agreed to surrender their babies after delivery in exchange for payments ranging from N500,000 to N1.8 million.
Some of the women reportedly arrived at the facility with their existing children and infants, who were also allegedly put up for sale to prospective buyers.
Speaking during the parade of suspects and victims at the NSCDC office in Ibereko, Badagry, the Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, said the facility functioned as a baby factory where women were sheltered, delivered babies, and had the newborns sold.
He explained that the suspects enticed pregnant women with financial incentives and took custody of the babies after birth, paying the mothers as agreed.
Out of the 18 pregnant women rescued, one reportedly suffered a miscarriage, leaving 17 still carrying pregnancies at the time of the operation. Other children found at the facility were said to be awaiting negotiation for sale.
Keshinro described the discovery as a grievous crime against humanity, noting that the suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution, while the victims would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.
Items recovered from the facility included a pumping machine, generator, standing fans, gas cylinders, burners, cooking pots, mobile phones, mats, toiletries, baby care products, and assorted food items.
He added that the premises would be handed over to the Lagos State Government, which may consider demolishing the structure to prevent further illegal use.
Responding to the allegations, the principal suspect, Okeke, claimed she was facilitating child adoption for couples without children and had relocated from Ikorodu to Badagry earlier this year. She, however, declined further comments without her lawyer.
Similarly, Agwu, who described himself as a housekeeper, said the women voluntarily entered the arrangement through online agreements, adding that he believed it provided an alternative to abortion and support for childless couples.
Some of the rescued women also admitted subscribing to the arrangement due to financial hardship and personal circumstances, including unwanted pregnancies, though they noted that their movement within the facility was restricted.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying the crackdown on human trafficking and illegal child trade, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
