By Our Correspondent
National News – Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have uncovered a baby factory in the Badagry area of Lagos, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children while arresting two suspects linked to the operation.
The raid, carried out late Wednesday into Thursday in Okuju, Ilado, followed three weeks of intelligence gathering, according to Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro.
The suspects, identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, allegedly lured women aged between 18 and 30 through social media platforms, promising financial compensation in exchange for their newborns.
Victims reportedly agreed to surrender their babies after delivery for payments ranging from N500,000 to N1.8 million.
Authorities revealed that some women also arrived at the facility with children already intended for sale.
Keshinro explained that the operation exposed a structured system where pregnant women were accommodated, fed, and monitored but restricted from leaving freely.
After childbirth, the babies were taken and sold to interested buyers.
One victim reportedly suffered a miscarriage during her stay, while others remained heavily pregnant at the time of rescue.
The suspects claimed the operation was a form of adoption service aimed at helping childless couples, but authorities described it as a “grievous crime against humanity.”
The NSCDC confirmed that the suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution, while the rescued women and children would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for rehabilitation.
Items recovered from the facility included household appliances, baby care products, and communication devices believed to have facilitated the illegal activity.
Officials added that the Lagos State Government may demolish the building to prevent future use for criminal purposes.
Investigations are ongoing to uncover other collaborators and networks connected to the operation, including online agents who allegedly recruited victims.
