The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a nurse after a newborn reportedly went missing from a hospital in the Mowe area of the state.
The development followed the discovery of an alleged baby factory at Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, Mowe, where police rescued two pregnant women and four children.
Police operatives stormed the facility around 8 a.m. on Monday, August 24, following intelligence on suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities.
The rescued pregnant women were identified as 23-year-old Ilesanmi Foluke, who was seven months pregnant, and 20-year-old Ejekwa Melody, who was eight months pregnant.
The four rescued children comprised two boys and two girls.
Six suspects were arrested during the operation. They include Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.
However, the investigation took a more troubling turn when police traced another alleged victim, 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong, to a hospital in the Mowe axis.
Effiong reportedly gave birth to a baby boy on August 20. Although she was found at the hospital receiving treatment, police could not establish the whereabouts of her newborn.
The attending nurse was subsequently arrested as investigators began efforts to locate the missing infant.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said investigators would determine the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s activities and ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and child trading.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could help security agencies prevent similar crimes.
The Ogun operation comes amid growing concerns over alleged baby factories and illegal adoption networks across the country.
In April, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps reportedly uncovered another alleged baby factory in Okuju, Ilado, Badagry, Lagos State, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children.
The latest Ogun case has renewed concerns over the use of unregistered maternity facilities as fronts for alleged child-trafficking activities.
Authorities are now under pressure to locate the missing newborn and uncover the full network allegedly behind the operation.
