Police officers rescued two pregnant women and four children from an Ogun baby factory in Mowe, while discovering that a newborn delivered days earlier could not be accounted for.
The Ogun State Police Command said six suspects were arrested during the August 24 operation, which followed intelligence about suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities at a location in Abaren Village, Mowe.
Mowe Baby Factory Raid Rescues Six
The Mowe baby factory was reportedly operating from Toluwalase Street in Abaren Village. Police said the operation led to the rescue of 23-year-old Ilesanmi Foluke, who was seven months pregnant, and 20-year-old Ejekwa Melody, who was eight months pregnant. Four children, two boys and two girls, were also recovered from the location.
Six people were arrested, including two women aged 58 and 63, three men and an attending nurse. Police said preliminary investigations indicated that alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption had been taking place at the facility over time. The case is now bigger than the six people found at the facility.
The Newborn Who Could Not Be Found
During follow-up investigations, detectives reportedly traced the suspected operation to a hospital in the Mowe area. There, police found 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong receiving medical treatment after reportedly giving birth to a baby boy on August 20. But the newborn was not at the hospital and its whereabouts could not be established.
The attending nurse was arrested to assist investigators in locating the child. The police have now transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
This missing newborn could become one of the most important parts of the investigation because detectives will need to establish what happened between the child’s birth and the police operation.
What This Means for Human Trafficking in Nigeria
The baby factory in Ogun State case also shows why these operations can be difficult to detect. Such facilities may involve multiple locations, including homes, hospitals and other people who can help move or conceal victims.
Police have not yet disclosed the full structure of the suspected network or whether more people are involved. The investigation will now focus on locating the missing baby, identifying other possible victims and determining who was responsible for the alleged trafficking and illegal adoption activities.
For human trafficking in Nigeria, the case is another reminder that police intervention often reveals only the beginning of a much larger investigation.
Residents have been urged to report suspicious activities, while authorities will face pressure to ensure that the rescued women and children receive appropriate protection as the investigation continues.
