Police in Ogun State have uncovered an alleged Ogun baby factory in Mowe, rescuing two heavily pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects in an intelligence-led operation.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the Mowe Division of the Ogun State Police Command at Abaren Village, following intelligence suggesting that the facility was allegedly being used for human trafficking and illegal adoption activities.
Police said the raid took place on August 24 at about 8 a.m. at a suspected hideout on Toluwalase Street in Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, a suburb of Mowe.
The command said the operation represented a major breakthrough in its efforts to tackle human trafficking, child exploitation and related criminal activities across the state.
The Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that illegal activities had allegedly been taking place at the facility for some time.
The rescued victims and arrested suspects have since become the focus of a wider investigation aimed at establishing the full scale of the suspected operation.
Ogun baby factory raid frees pregnant victims
The raid on the alleged Ogun baby factory led to the rescue of two women who were in advanced stages of pregnancy.
Police identified them as Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who was seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who was eight months pregnant.
Four children were also recovered from the premises during the operation.
The children comprised two boys and two girls, according to the police.
Babaseyi said the victims were safely rescued after operatives stormed the suspected hideout following sustained intelligence gathering.
Investigators are now expected to establish how the women and children came to be at the facility and whether they were connected to a wider network involved in suspected trafficking or illegal adoption.
Police have not released additional information about the identities of the children or the circumstances under which they were allegedly brought to the facility.
However, authorities said the ongoing investigation would examine all aspects of the suspected criminal operation.
Ogun baby factory bust results in six arrests
Six suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged Ogun baby factory uncovered by police in Mowe.
The suspects were identified as Florence Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Idaya.
Police did not immediately disclose the specific allegations against each individual.
However, the arrests are part of the investigation into suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities linked to the facility.
The command said the operation followed intelligence-led policing and formed part of its continuing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in communities across Ogun State.
The suspects are expected to be investigated further as authorities work to identify other possible persons connected to the alleged operation.
The police have also not ruled out the possibility of additional developments as the investigation continues.
Ogun baby factory probe targets missing newborn
Further investigations into the alleged Ogun baby factory took police operatives to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another woman had reportedly given birth days before the raid.
Police identified the woman as Blessing Bright Effiong, 26.
According to the command, Effiong gave birth to a baby boy on August 20.
However, the whereabouts of the newborn could not be immediately accounted for while the mother was receiving medical care.
The development prompted police to begin efforts to locate the missing child.
The attending nurse was subsequently arrested as part of the investigation into the baby’s disappearance.
Police said efforts were continuing to determine what happened to the newborn and whether the case was connected to the wider activities allegedly uncovered at the facility.
As of the latest update, authorities had not announced the recovery of the baby.
The investigation is expected to focus on establishing the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance and identifying any person who may have played a role.
Ogun baby factory investigation moves to Abeokuta
The alleged Ogun baby factory case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Police said investigators would seek to establish the full extent of the suspected syndicate’s activities.
The investigation will also focus on locating the missing newborn and ensuring that all persons found culpable are prosecuted.
Authorities are expected to examine evidence recovered during the raid and gather further information from the rescued victims and other individuals connected to the case.
Babaseyi said the public would be kept informed as investigations progressed.
The transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department signals a broader effort by the command to fully investigate the allegations and determine whether more victims or suspects may be linked to the suspected operation.
Police have urged residents with useful information to cooperate with investigators.
Ogun baby factory bust prompts public vigilance call
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for their prompt response and operational efficiency.
Ojajuni said the alleged Ogun baby factory bust reflected the importance of intelligence-led policing in identifying and disrupting suspected criminal activities.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, child trading and other forms of violent crime across Ogun State.
The commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information.
According to the police, community cooperation can play an important role in identifying suspicious activities and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Residents have been encouraged to report suspicious persons or activities through Gateway Shield’s toll-free line, 0800 000 9111.
The command also provided emergency lines, 09164859299 and 09154293464, for members of the public seeking to provide information or report emergencies.
Police said investigations into the alleged Ogun baby factory remain ongoing, with efforts focused on finding the missing newborn, establishing the full extent of the suspected syndicate’s activities and bringing any culpable persons to justice.
