NSCDC Dismantles Baby Factory, Rescues 28 Victims, Arrests 2 Suspects in Lagos
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have dismantled a suspected baby factory network operating in the Badagry area, rescuing 28 victims and arresting two suspects in an intelligence-led operation.
The operation, conducted between April 15 and 16, 2026, followed three weeks of surveillance that led officers to a concealed facility located at Okuju, Ilado area of Olorunda, Badagry.
Briefing journalists, the State Commandant, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, said the victims included 17 heavily pregnant women, as well as 11 others comprising children, infants, and an adult male. He explained that preliminary investigations suggest the victims were allegedly recruited through a Facebook-based scheme that targeted vulnerable pregnant women with promises of payment ranging between ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 after childbirth.
According to him, the victims were kept under harsh and unhygienic conditions, with one of the pregnant women reportedly losing her pregnancy due to neglect and lack of medical care.
Items recovered from the premises included mobile phones, gas cylinders, a generator set, cooking utensils, and other household equipment believed to have supported the illegal activity.
The suspects, alongside the rescued victims, have been transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the operation, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the breakthrough as evidence of the Corps’ strengthened intelligence-driven approach to policing and its commitment to dismantling criminal trafficking networks nationwide. He reaffirmed ongoing efforts to deepen inter-agency collaboration and enhance technology-based operations against human trafficking and related crimes.
The Corps also urged members of the public to exercise caution regarding online offers and recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable individuals, stressing the importance of verifying suspicious claims and reporting unusual activities to security agencies.
It further emphasized that timely intelligence sharing and community vigilance remain critical in the fight against human trafficking and organized exploitation.
By TimesNG