Lagos ‘Baby Factory’ Busted as Dozens of Pregnant Women, Children Rescued
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have dismantled an illegal baby trafficking operation in the Badagry axis of the State, rescuing vulnerable women and children while arresting key suspects.
The covert operation, carried out late Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday, targeted a residential property in Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry. Authorities confirmed that 18 pregnant women and 10 children were rescued from the facility, described as a “baby factory,” where infants were allegedly sold for profit.
Global Mirror News gathered that the victims—aged between 18 and 30—were lured through online engagements, primarily via Facebook, with promises of financial compensation in exchange for surrendering their newborns after delivery. Payments reportedly ranged between ₦500,000 and ₦1.8 million per child.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed three weeks of intelligence gathering. He explained that the operation uncovered a coordinated scheme in which pregnant women were recruited, housed, and monitored until childbirth, after which their babies were taken and sold to undisclosed buyers.
Seventeen of the rescued women are currently pregnant, while one reportedly suffered a miscarriage prior to the raid. Authorities also revealed that some women arrived at the facility with infants already earmarked for sale.
Two suspects identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu were arrested at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest they managed the facility and coordinated transactions between the mothers and prospective buyers.
Keshinro described the operation as a “grievous crime against humanity,” confirming that the suspects will be handed over to the police for prosecution. Meanwhile, the rescued victims are to be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for rehabilitation and further support.
Items recovered from the premises included a generator, gas cylinders, cooking equipment, baby care products, mobile phones, and other household materials—indicating that the facility was set up for prolonged habitation.
Speaking during interrogation, the prime suspect, Okeke, claimed the operation was an informal adoption service for childless couples, stating she relocated from Ikorodu earlier in the year to expand operations. However, she declined to provide further details without legal representation.
Some of the rescued women corroborated that they willingly entered agreements after online negotiations, citing financial hardship and personal circumstances. While they reported being fed and allowed limited phone use, they confirmed their movement was restricted and that payments were conditional upon relinquishing their babies.
Authorities say the property will be handed over to the Lagos State Government, which will determine whether it should be demolished to prevent future illegal use.
The case underscores growing concerns over human trafficking networks exploiting economic vulnerability and digital platforms to sustain illicit child trade operations in parts of Nigeria, Global Mirror News reports.
