Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, have uncovered a suspected baby factory in the Okuju area of Ilado, Badagry, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children during a late-night operation.
The raid, carried out on Wednesday night into the early hours of Thursday, also led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, alleged to be operators of the illegal facility.
Speaking during a parade of the suspects and victims at the NSCDC Badagry Division in Ibereko, the Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the operation followed three weeks of sustained intelligence gathering.
“We swooped on the location after credible intelligence revealed the existence of a baby factory where young women are harboured and their babies sold after delivery,” Keshinro said.
He explained that the victims, aged between 18 and 30, were allegedly recruited through online platforms, particularly Facebook, where they were lured with financial incentives.
“The suspects entice pregnant women with promises of payment. After delivery, the babies are taken from them and sold to interested buyers, while the mothers are paid between ₦500,000 and ₦1.8 million,” he stated.
According to the commandant, 17 of the rescued women are currently pregnant, while one suffered a miscarriage prior to the raid. Several infants and toddlers found at the facility were also reportedly awaiting sale.
“This is a grievous crime against humanity. We cannot allow such inhumane activities to thrive in our society,” Keshinro added.
Items recovered from the premises include a generator, gas cylinders, cooking utensils, mobile phones, toiletries, baby care products, and other household items, indicating that the facility was fully operational.
Keshinro said the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution, while the victims would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for care and rehabilitation.
He further noted that the Lagos State Government would determine the fate of the building, including possible demolition to prevent its reuse for criminal activities.
One of the suspects, Okeke, who claimed to be the operator of the facility, described the operation as an “adoption service” for childless couples.
“We help people who don’t have children. We adopt babies for them,” she said, adding that she relocated from Ikorodu to Badagry in January in search of a larger space.
However, she declined to provide further details, insisting on the presence of her lawyer.
Some of the rescued women admitted they willingly entered into agreements after contacting the operators online. They said they were promised payments ranging from ₦1 million to ₦1.8 million in exchange for surrendering their babies after delivery.
One of the victims said she opted for the arrangement after becoming pregnant for an “irresponsible man,” while others cited financial hardship.
Another suspect, Agwu, claimed the operation provided an alternative to abortion and assisted childless couples.
“They come to us already pregnant. We take care of them, and after delivery, the baby is given out for adoption,” he said.
“There are online groups where such arrangements are discussed, and agents refer them to us.”
He maintained that the women consented to the arrangement and were free to leave before delivery, although no payment would be made if they did.
Investigations into the case are ongoing as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on human trafficking and illegal adoption networks across the state.
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