Police Uncover Baby Factory In Ondo, Rescue Five Pregnant Teenage Girls

The Ondo State Police Command has busted a suspected baby factory operating in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, rescuing five pregnant underage girls from the illegal facility.

Police spokesperson, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, revealing that the prime suspect, identified as Ada Clement, had been arrested in connection with the crime.

According to the statement, the babies were allegedly being sold for ₦400,000 and above for female children and ₦600,000 and above for male children. One of the victims was said to have already delivered a baby boy at the facility.

The operation followed a tip-off from 17-year-old Vivian Peter, a pregnant girl from Akwa Ibom State, who managed to escape from the facility and reported the case to the police.

“Vivian reported that she had been trafficked from Akwa Ibom to Ore under the guise of a job offer,” the police statement read. “Upon arrival, she was taken to what appeared to be a clinic, only to discover it was a baby factory where other pregnant girls were being held. She managed to escape during a supposed medical appointment and sought refuge at the Ore Police Division.”

Acting on the report, operatives from the Ore Division and the Gender-Based Violence Unit raided the location, successfully rescuing the victims and uncovering the extent of the trafficking network.

“It was discovered that one of the girls had already given birth and is currently receiving postnatal care at the General Hospital, Ore, while the others are in protective police custody,” Ayanlade stated.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect and her accomplices admitted to running the illegal operation, where young pregnant girls were detained until childbirth, and the newborns subsequently sold to buyers.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to dismantle the trafficking syndicate and bring all those involved to justice.

He further assured the public that detectives are intensifying efforts to track down other fleeing members of the criminal ring.

“The command remains committed to protecting vulnerable persons, especially women and children, and ensuring that those who engage in such heinous acts face the full wrath of the law,” the police statement added.