The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a suspected baby factory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested three persons over alleged child trafficking involving about N13.5 million.
The agency, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, reportedly carried out the operation following intelligence on the activities of a suspected child trafficking network operating in the Elelenwo area of the state.
The suspects, whose identities were not immediately disclosed, allegedly include the owner of the facility, a facilitator and a staff member.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that a Liberian woman residing in Belgium arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within a month.
NAPTIP said about N13.5 million was allegedly exchanged in connection with the transfer of the three children.
The suspected baby factory was reportedly being operated from a residential apartment converted into an illegal maternity facility.
The agency subsequently sealed the premises as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the births, custody and alleged transfer of the children.
Investigators are also expected to trace financial transactions linked to the alleged trafficking operation and establish the identities, biological parentage and current whereabouts of the children.
NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the alleged involvement of foreign nationals in the procurement of children through suspected criminal networks in Nigeria.
She said the agency would continue its investigation to identify all individuals connected to the case and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
NAPTIP also urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption and baby-selling to the agency.
