Sahara Reporters has taken to its official X handle and announced that, In a chilling crackdown that has sent shockwaves across the nation, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command have dismantled a suspected baby trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of a maternity shelter in Okuju, Ilado, Badagry.
The daring late-night operation, executed between Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday, led to the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children, many of whom were allegedly destined for sale in a well-organised black-market adoption racket.
Investigations reveal a sinister enterprise where unborn and newborn babies were commodified, with prices ranging from ₦500,000 to a staggering ₦1.8 million.
Authorities disclosed that vulnerable women, mostly aged between 18 and 30, were lured via Facebook advertisements, enticed with promises of financial reward in exchange for surrendering their babies after delivery.
Some victims reportedly arrived with toddlers and infants—already marked for sale.
Two suspects, identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, believed to be masterminds of the operation, were apprehended at the scene.
In a controversial admission, Okeke attempted to downplay the gravity of the operation, claiming:
“We are adopting children to give to those who don’t have any… I moved here from Ikorodu in search of a bigger apartment.”
However, she refused to disclose critical details, insisting on the presence of her lawyer before further statements.
Addressing journalists, Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, revealed that the raid followed three weeks of painstaking intelligence gathering.
He painted a disturbing picture of the facility:
A large apartment with multiple rooms housing pregnant women
Victims either recruited while pregnant or allegedly impregnated within the system
Babies forcefully taken after birth and sold to waiting buyers
“This is a grievous crime against humanity. These women were exploited, and their babies treated as commodities,” Keshinro declared.
Among the rescued victims, authorities confirmed that one woman suffered a miscarriage, leaving 17 still carrying pregnancies. Several older babies were also found, allegedly being prepared for illegal sale.
Recovered items from the premises further exposed the scale of the operation, including:
Power generator and pumping machine
Baby care products and toiletries
Mobile phones used for online negotiations
Cooking utensils, gas cylinders, and food supplies
Mats and household items used to accommodate victims
In emotional testimonies, some victims admitted entering agreements willingly due to economic hardship and personal struggles.
One woman revealed:
“I was promised ₦1 million after delivery.”
Another disclosed a deal worth ₦1.8 million, while a victim identified as Joy cited abandonment by an irresponsible partner and the burden of caring for two children as reasons for her decision.
Despite the grim circumstances, victims said they were:
Fed regularly
Allowed phone access
Provided basic medical attention
However, they were not permitted to leave the facility freely, raising concerns of coercion and confinement.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for prosecution, while the rescued women and children will receive rehabilitation under the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
This disturbing discovery underscores the growing menace of human trafficking and illegal adoption rings in Nigeria, exposing how poverty, desperation, and digital platforms are being exploited by criminal networks.
As investigations deepen, Nigerians are left grappling with a haunting question:
How many more hidden “baby factories” are operating in the shadows?
PIONEER NEWS 