A sixty three Year-old woman, has been arrested for operating a baby factory in abia state,
The woman, identified as Chinyere Nkwocha, until her arrest was operating in the Umuafai Ndume Ibeku area of Umuahia North Local Government of the state.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said the baby factory was uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS), Abia State Command.
The victims, aged between one and 24 years, included seven young girls, six of whom are pregnant, one lactating mother, and two boys who are minors.
NAPTIP said the suspects and the victims have been handed over to its Abia State Liaison Office for further investigation and appropriate action.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, expressed concern over the increasing incidents of the buying and selling of babies and the proliferation of baby factories across the country.
She said in recent times, there have been alarming reports and public outcry regarding the sale of babies and the existence of facilities specializing in trapping young girls, recruiting men to impregnate them, and subsequently selling the babies after delivery.
She also encouraged communities to continue collaborating with Law Enforcement Agencies in combating the crime by reporting all cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP through its toll-free number, 0703 0000 203, or short code 627 (only on the MTN & AIRTEL networks).