Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Lagos have uncovered an illegal baby factory in the Okuju area of Ilado, Badagry, following a late-night operation that stretched into the early hours of Thursday.
During the raid, officials rescued 18 pregnant women and 10 children, while two suspected operators of the facility, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, were taken into custody. The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed this while presenting the suspects and victims at the command’s Badagry office.
According to Keshinro, the breakthrough came after about three weeks of intelligence gathering. He explained that the suspects allegedly ran a coordinated operation where women were either lured or convinced to carry pregnancies with the understanding that their babies would be taken after birth and sold to buyers in exchange for money.
Some of the rescued victims revealed that they had been promised payments ranging from ₦1 million to ₦1.8 million after delivery. The commandant further noted that while 18 women were initially identified as pregnant, one had suffered a miscarriage, leaving 17 still expecting. In addition, several children already born were found at the facility, reportedly awaiting transfer to prospective buyers.
Keshinro stated that the premises—described as a large residential building—would be handed over to the Lagos State Government, which may decide to demolish it to prevent future illegal use. He also confirmed that the suspects would be transferred to the police for prosecution, while the rescued victims would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for proper care and rehabilitation.
In her defence, the principal suspect, Joy Okeke, claimed the operation was aimed at helping childless individuals adopt children. She said she had been involved in the activity for some months after relocating from Ikorodu in search of a larger space. However, she declined to provide further details, insisting she would only speak in the presence of her legal representative.