Operatives of Ondo State Police Command have smashed a human trafficking syndicate who operates a suspected baby factory where babies are sold between N400,000 and N600,000 in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.
The end came for the baby factory operators on October 21 17 years old pregnant Vivian Peter reported at Ore Division that she was trafficked from Akwa Ibom to Ondo State under the guise of being offered a job opportunity.
She told the police that she was taken to a supposed clinic which later turned out to be a baby factory where she met other pregnant girls allegedly being held for exploitation.
Ondo Police Spokesman, Ayanlade Olushola, in a statement, said owner of the facility identified as one Ada Clement, a female, instructed Vivian taken to another hospital in Ore for a medical scan.
He said Vivian managed to escape and sought refuge at Ore Division, where she reported the incident to the police.
According to the report, “Acting swiftly on the report, operatives from Ore Division in collaboration with the Gender unit raided the said facility, leading to the successful rescue of five pregnant girls and a baby boy.
“It was discovered that one of the victims had already given birth and is presently receiving post-natal treatment at the General Hospital, Ore, while the remaining rescued victims are in safe protective custody of the Police.
“The prime suspect, Ada Clement, and her accomplices have confessed to the crime, admitting that the facility was being used as a baby factory, where young pregnant girls were kept until they delivered, after which their babies were sold to individuals seeking children.
“It was further disclosed that the babies were sold for ₦400,000 and above for female children, and ₦600,000 and above for male children respectively.
The statement said Ondo Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, ordered comprehensive and discreet investigation into the case to ensure all members of the trafficking ring are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
It said efforts were on to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
