The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a baby factory from a detention camp at No. 14 Adisa Street Ayanwale area of Ikotun.
The states police command spokesperson, Bala Elkana says the discovery was made following a tipoff from concerned members of the public.
According to Bala, the operatives rescued 19 pregnant girls, aged between 15 and 28years, as well as four of the trafficked kids.
They were recovered from four different locations. They include: No 32 Owosho Street, Governor Road, Ikotun ; No 29 Olugbeyohun Street, Olakunle Bus Stop Abaranja; No 4/6 Anomo Street, Abaranja and Ikotun.
Bala in the statement said the pregnant women were brought from Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia and Imo States with the promises of helping them get a job and then afterwards converted into sex workers.
According to the police, the suspects who were identified as 40-year-old Happiness Ukwuoma and 54-year-old Sherifat Ipeya, did not receive formal medical training but operate as nurses.
The police have launched a manhunt for the main suspect after two arrested women told operatives the baby factory is owned by one Madam Oluchi from Imo state who is currently on the run.
Bala said the young women were mostly abducted by the suspects for the purpose of getting them pregnant and selling the babies to potential buyers. He said:
“The girls were tricked with employment as domestic staff in Lagos. The babies are sold between N300,000 and N500,000 depending on the sex.
“Boys are sold for N500,000 and girls for N300,000. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu, has visited the scene and ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba to take over the case.
“The command is working with other agencies and stakeholders in rehabilitating and resettling the pregnant girls and the babies. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court.”
