By Seun Ibiyemi
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have uncovered an alleged baby factory in Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects.
The operation was conducted on Monday, August 24, by officers attached to the Mowe Divisional Police Headquarters following intelligence on alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption activities at a facility located on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, Mowe.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, said the rescued pregnant women were identified as 23-year-old Ilesanmi Foluke, who was seven months pregnant, and 20-year-old Ejekwa Melody, who was eight months pregnant.
Four children, comprising two boys and two girls, were also recovered during the operation.
The police identified the six arrested suspects as Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and Oseni Kusamotu Idaya, an attending nurse.
The command said further intelligence led investigators to a hospital within the Mowe area, where another alleged victim, 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong, reportedly gave birth to a baby boy on August 20.
According to the police, while Effiong remained at the hospital receiving medical attention, the whereabouts of her newborn could not be established.
The attending nurse was subsequently arrested as detectives intensified efforts to locate the missing infant and establish the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.
The command said the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged activities of the syndicate.
The investigation will also focus on recovering the missing newborn and determining the culpability of those arrested for possible prosecution.
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The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for their prompt response and operational effectiveness.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s determination to tackle human trafficking, child trading and other forms of criminality across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and disrupting criminal networks.
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.
