Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered and shut down an illegal baby factory operating in the Okuju area of Ilado, within Badagry, Lagos State.
The operation, carried out late at night and into the early hours of the following day, led to the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children. Authorities also arrested two suspects identified as the alleged operators of the facility.
According to officials, the victims—mostly young women between the ages of 18 and 30—were recruited through social media platforms, where they were lured with offers involving financial compensation. Investigations revealed that the women were brought into the facility with agreements that after delivery, their babies would be taken from them and sold to interested buyers, with payments ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million naira.
During a public briefing, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, described the operation as a major breakthrough achieved through weeks of intelligence gathering. He explained that the building used for the illegal activities contained multiple rooms where the victims were accommodated.
Authorities disclosed that while many of the women were heavily pregnant, one had suffered a miscarriage. Some of the rescued victims were also found with infants and young children believed to be part of the illegal trade arrangement.
The commandant condemned the activities at the facility, describing them as a serious violation of human rights. He stated that the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, while the victims would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and care.
Items recovered from the premises included household equipment, baby care products, communication devices, and other materials believed to have been used in running the operation.
Preliminary findings indicate that the facility functioned as a coordinated operation where pregnant women were housed, monitored, and prepared for delivery, after which their babies were allegedly sold. Some of the victims reported that they agreed to the arrangement due to financial hardship, while others said they were influenced by promises made online.
Authorities also revealed that although the women were provided with food and basic care, their movement was restricted, and they could not leave the premises freely. The arrangement reportedly allowed them to exit before delivery, but without receiving any payment.
Officials have assured the public that further investigations are ongoing to identify other individuals connected to the operation, including possible agents and buyers. The state government is also expected to take over the facility, with a decision to be made on its future use.
The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to tackling human trafficking and related crimes, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
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