Police bust baby factory in Ogun, rescue six victims

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have dismantled an alleged baby factory at Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects.

The operation, which was carried out by operatives of the Mowe Division on Monday, August 24, followed sustained intelligence on alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption activities at the facility located on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, Mowe.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, the two pregnant women rescued were identified as Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who was seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who was eight months pregnant.

Four children, comprising two males and two females, were also recovered during the raid.

The suspects arrested were Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.

The police said further intelligence-led operations took officers to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another alleged victim, Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, had given birth to a baby boy on August 20.

While the woman was receiving medical treatment at the hospital, the whereabouts of her newborn child could not be established, leading to the arrest of the attending nurse as police intensified efforts to locate the infant.

The command said the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation into the activities of the alleged syndicate, recovery of the missing newborn and prosecution of suspects found culpable.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for their prompt response and operational efficiency.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, child trading and other forms of criminality in the state, while urging residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police.

Members of the public were advised to report suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or the emergency lines 09164859299 and 09154293464.