A baby factory operating in the Ijegun area of Lagos has been uncovered by the Lagos State Police Command, leading to the rescue of 10 victims and the arrest of three suspects.
The operation, carried out last Saturday, followed a tip-off received by the police. According to the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the main suspect, 35-year-old Mariam Vincent, was arrested alongside two others identified as Orie Ruth, 23, and Ujunwa Ifeanyi, 18.
“We acted swiftly upon receiving credible information and were able to rescue seven adult women and three children from the location,” Hundeyin told reporters on Monday.
Among those rescued were three children identified as Destiny (7), Miracle (5), and Success (2), as well as seven women: Precious (24), Magdalene (25), Adaobi (23), Princess (22), Ifeanyi (25), and Amaka (26). All victims are currently receiving proper care and support, the police confirmed.
However, during interogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to kidnapping the victims from various parts of the state to operate the illegal baby factory.
The police spokesperson noted that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
In a related development, the police spokesman revealed further that 39 suspects involved in crimes such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, child stealing, vandalism, and illegal possession of firearms and drugs were arrested over the last two weeks.
He also shared details of a successful rescue mission in Igbe Alagemo, Ijede, in Ikorodu, where two kidnapped persons were freed after a three-day operation.
“On March 26, around 9 p.m., armed kidnappers stormed the community, killed a security dog, and abducted a 40-year-old man, Dare, from his home,” Hundeyin said. “They then moved to a nearby residence and took a second victim, 25-year-old Rodiat.”
Following a joint effort between the police, local vigilantes, and other security operatives, the victims were rescued at about 11:56 p.m. on March 29.
“The victims have since been reunited with their families. Surveillance in the area continues, and we are working hard to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
