The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that suspects arrested in connection with the recently uncovered baby factory in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Akure.
“We will charge the suspects to court immediately after investigations are concluded,” Ayanlade stated.
“All efforts are ongoing to arrest everyone connected to the incident.”
Ayanlade clarified that the police were not under any obligation to hand over the suspects to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
“We don’t have any responsibility or obligation to hand them over to NAPTIP. Two suspects have been arrested, while five pregnant girls and one baby boy were rescued,” he said.
The police spokesperson assured that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the network behind the illegal operation.
How the Baby Factory Was Uncovered
The police had on Sunday announced the discovery of the illegal baby factory after the rescue of six victims and the arrest of two suspects.
According to Ayanlade, the case has been transferred to the Command’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Unit for thorough investigation.
He explained that on October 21, a 17-year-old girl, identified as Vivian Peter from Ikot Ekpan in Akwa Ibom State, reported being trafficked to Ore under the guise of securing a job.
“Upon arrival, she was taken to a facility posing as a clinic but later discovered to be a baby factory housing several pregnant girls,” Ayanlade said.
Vivian reportedly escaped during an attempt by the operator, identified as Ada Clement, to take her for a medical scan. She then sought help at the Ore Police Division, prompting a swift police raid.
During the operation, officers rescued five pregnant girls and a baby boy. One of the victims, who had already given birth, is currently receiving postnatal care at the General Hospital, Ore.
Babies Sold for ₦400,000 to ₦600,000 — Police
Preliminary investigations revealed that Clement and her accomplices admitted to running the facility as a baby factory, where pregnant girls were kept until delivery, and the newborns were sold.
“Female babies were sold for ₦400,000, while male babies were sold for ₦600,000,” the police spokesperson said.
The police have vowed to dismantle the network and bring all perpetrators to justice.
Background:
The discovery adds to the growing number of baby factory cases uncovered across Nigeria in recent years, highlighting persistent concerns over human trafficking, exploitation, and child rights abuses.
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