The pregnant women, who were members of a baby-making syndicate, were paraded in Port Harcourt on Monday. They were between the age of 21 and 25 years.
Also arrested was a 68-year-old private security man, John Ndukwe, who was manning the gate of the baby factory identified as Charity and Rehabilitation Centre.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, told newsmen that the arrest of the pregnant women followed the abduction of a four-year-old boy, Friday Alioma; and a pregnant woman, Happiness Samuel; in Ogbogoro, Obio/Akpor LGA on May 15 and 16, 2016 respectively.
“Through discreet investigation, one Nkechi Oguama, a native of Ugiri in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested with Ngozi Ogbonna, Blessing Izimanze and Favour Ogbonma in connection with the abduction.
“They denied kidnapping four-year-old Friday Alioma. But, they confessed to have known about the kidnap of Hapiness Samuel. Five more pregnant women, who were suspected members of the syndicate, were also apprehended through information given to the police by the first group of suspects.
“The five suspects are Ijeoma Ofor, Chioma Nkeze, Peace Sunday Matthew, Joy Chisom, Chinyere Monday and the security man, John Ndukwe. One of the suspects, Ngozi Ogbonna, led a team of Anti-Kidnap Unit to the Rehabilitation Centre, where the other suspects were arrested.
“On interrogation, all the girls admitted that they went there to deliver and sell the children. We are still on the trail of the director,” the state police spokesman said.
He disclosed that the operator of the baby factory, one Mrs. Ama (surname unknown) was currently on the run, adding that the police were currently on her trail.
Muhammad stated that the suspects would soon be charge to court, even as he warned those involved in selling babies to fake charity home operators to desist from the act.
However, one of the pregnant women, Ngozi Ogbonna, disclosed that she sold her first baby in 2015 to the operator of the baby factory for N100,000 shortly after delivery.
“I am into ‘runs’ (prostitution) before I got pregnant and an agent of the woman (baby factory operator) advised me to go to the charity home. The woman was taking care of me and other pregnant women.
“My first baby was a girl and I gave her to the woman and collected N100,000 from her,” Ogbonna said in passable English.
Also, the security man arrested alongside the pregnant women told newsmen that he was not aware that the business the woman was doing was illegal, maintaining that he was only concerned with receiving his N20,000 monthly salary. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Igbos? Nwanne ebelebe
ReplyDeleteNa wa, people are heartless, the faith of those babies sold are unknown yet the directorof the place is a woman & a mother i suppose, what is #100,000 compare to the life been sold, may the Lord have mercy.
ReplyDeleteThe rise of the baby factory business indicates a high demand and childlessness in Nigeria. Government should look into establishing the initiatives set up overseas, such as surrogacy, adoption etc
ReplyDelete