The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has shut down a home suspected of being an illegal maternity run by a child-trafficking group in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.
A statement released on Thursday by the Agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Vincent Adekoye, said NAPTIP also arrested the owner of the facility, who is believed to be involved in the alleged baby sale, along with one other staff member.
The statement is titled ‘NAPTIP Seals High-Profile Maternity in Port Harcourt for Alleged Baby Sale, Trafficking Involving a Foreign National.’
Adekoye explained that the operation was done with help from the Rivers State Ministry of Health. They acted on reliable information about a criminal network that allegedly dealt in acquiring, selling, and unlawfully transferring children.
The facility is in Elelenwo, a district known for housing some of the leading health centres in Rivers State.
"Preliminary investigation shows that a Liberian national living in Belgium came to Nigeria without proof of being pregnant, yet within about a month, they supposedly took custody of three children under suspicious conditions. Information available to the Agency suggests that around N13.5m was involved in the transfer of the three children and other staff at the maternity," he said.
"After receiving this information, NAPTIP operatives from Abuja and Rivers State, along with officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Health, carried out a coordinated operation at the suspected facility, sealing it to protect the scene and keep potential evidence safe while investigations continue."
"Investigators are now looking into forensic and documentary details to find out who the children are, where they are, and their welfare status. They will also confirm their biological and legal parents, identify everyone involved in their acquisition and transfer, and trace the money involved and other details surrounding their alleged acquisition," the statement noted.
NAPTIP said it is also looking into the possible involvement of medical staff and others who might have helped with this suspected crime.
This action comes months after the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, ordered better monitoring of self-proclaimed maternity homes across the country. This followed strong information suggesting that many of these places have turned into scam centres, selling babies and engaging in trafficking.
Speaking about the recent raid, Bello expressed worry about the increasing role of foreign nationals in these criminal networks.
"I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to engage these suspected criminals and obtain children as if they are just trading goods. This is sad and completely unacceptable," she said.
Bello added, "We are working hard to catch everyone involved in this case, and they will face the full force of the law. I want to stress that this case is still under active investigation and anyone found involved will be held accountable under the law.
"The agency will make sure that anyone guilty of this crime is punished, while the safety and well-being of the affected children is our top priority."
She called on Nigerians to stay alert, saying, "Members of the public are encouraged to be watchful and report any suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling, or any other form of exploitation to NAPTIP at their nearest zonal or state office."
Bello stated that the agency will keep working to shut down illegal maternity clinics and healthcare facilities known as "baby factories" across the country.
Baby factories have been a long-standing issue where vulnerable pregnant women are kept in unofficial facilities, and their babies sold to buyers, including couples seeking children through illegal means and, more recently, as the agency found, foreign nationals.
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