Police uncover baby factory in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command have uncovered a baby factory and an illegal orphanage home at No. 1 Treasure Palace Close off Hand of Fair bus-stop in Ikotun-Igando Road.
The owner of the baby factory one Mrs Binta Adebayo(aka Nneoma Okoro) and her husband Mr. Adeola Adebayo were arrested following a tip off from a concerned member of the public on their operation.
It was gathered that the couple harbour young pregnant girls until they deliver their babies after which the babies are taken from them and sold without their consent.
The State Police Boss, CP Imohimi Edgal who briefed journalists on the development said acting on the tip off and subsequent raid of the said address, three young pregnant girls were rescued.
He said, “the victims – Favour Osikwemeh 19 years, is seven months pregnant, Precious Emmanuel 27 years, is seven months pregnant and Onome Oputi 25 years is nine months pregnant.”
Mrs. Adebayo who hails from Ohafia LGA in Abia State but married to a Lagosian denied the allegation saying she had only one pregnant women who is her son’s wife living with her.
Adebayo said she owns a shop where she sells provision and drinks in wholesale saying the allegation is the handiwork of detractors.
The 40 year old woman said her husband’s family – Osumba Family- had a protracted land dispute with the Bekunimaba Family in Igando and that it is the Bekunimaba family that is using the police against them.
In her words, ” I am a business woman who runs a shop. I have an 18 year old son who had impregnated a girl who now lives with me. The girl has two children already. My son is far away in Cameroon.
” the other ladies who they are saying were found in my house does not live with me.
” One of them is a girl that was brought to me by my sales person when I told her I needed another salesperson.
“On noticing she was pregnant, I objected to her working with me. She then told me she had family crisis as her husband was constantly abusing her. She begged me to help her and out of sympathy I pleaded with my sister to allow her stay at her place.
“The children who were found in my house are my grandchildren. I believe this whole story of a baby factory emanated from the Bekunimaba Family who are having land dispute with my husband’s family.”
A police source who also went on the raid of the said baby factory had spoken with our correspondent in confidence. He said the suspects own the house where they carried out the atrocities.
He disclosed that the suspects had been running the illegal orphanage since 2006, saying the police found just a child of about five year old in the house and the three pregnant woman.
The Commissioner of Police said the suspects and the victims will be handed over to NAPTIP for care and possible prosecution.
