NSCDC Shuts Down Illegal Baby Factory in Lagos Raid

By Babatunji Wusu

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recently uncovered a disturbing illegal baby factory in the Badagry area. During a raid in Okuju, Ilado, officers rescued 18 pregnant women and 10 children. The authorities arrested two suspects, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, following a three-week surveillance operation.

Investigations reveal that the suspects used Facebook groups to find their victims. They targeted women with unwanted pregnancies or those looking for adoption offers. Once recruited, the women were allegedly promised between ₦500,000 and ₦1.8 million to give up their infants after birth. This illegal baby factory operated as a business where people traded human lives for cash.

Commandant Adedotun Keshinro described the discovery as a “grievous crime against humanity.” He noted that 17 of the rescued women are currently pregnant. The team also found several infants at the site, which the suspects reportedly kept for sale. Although the suspects claimed they were simply helping childless couples through a voluntary adoption arrangement, the NSCDC insists the operation was exploitative and broke the law.

Officers recovered various items from the building, including baby products, generators, and mobile phones. These findings suggest that this illegal baby factory had been running for a long time. The NSCDC will now hand the suspects over to the police, while the victims will receive care from NAPTIP. This operation highlights the dangers of online recruitment schemes that target vulnerable people for financial gain.

What measures can local communities take to help the authorities identify and shut down these hidden illegal facilities?