The Lagos State Police Command successfully raided a baby factory in the Ijegun area of the state, rescuing 10 victims and arresting three individuals involved in the illegal operation. The operation, which took place on April 5, 2025, has raised serious concerns about human trafficking and exploitation, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance in tackling such criminal activities.
The police action followed a tip-off, leading to a thorough investigation and the eventual rescue of 10 individuals, including three young children. The suspects arrested during the raid include Mariam Vincent, the 35-year-old operator of the factory, and her accomplices—Orie Ruth, 23, and Ujunwa Ifeanyi, 18. The three individuals are now in police custody, awaiting further investigation.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Lagos State Police Command, the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the raid was the culmination of weeks of intelligence gathering and investigation. The authorities were able to act swiftly upon receiving information about the illegal activities in the Ijegun area.
“On April 5, 2025, the Lagos State Police, following a credible tip-off, raided a location suspected to be involved in the illegal operation of a baby factory. During the operation, officers were able to rescue 10 victims, including three children aged seven, five, and two,” Hundeyin stated.
The police found and freed seven women and three children who had been held against their will. The adult women, all victims of human trafficking, were identified as Precious (24), Magdalene (25), Adaobi (23), Princess (22), Ifeanyi (25), and Amaka (26). The children—two girls and one boy—are Destiny, a 7-year-old boy; Miracle, a 5-year-old girl; and Success, a 2-year-old girl.
The authorities have ensured that the rescued victims are now receiving care and support, including medical attention and psychological counseling. These individuals, some of whom had been held captive for extended periods, are expected to undergo rehabilitation as part of efforts to reintegrate them into society.
The police have described the situation as a clear case of human trafficking and exploitation, where vulnerable women were abducted and forced into an operation designed to profit from the illegal sale of babies. The women were reportedly held at the factory under duress, with their freedom restricted.
Hundeyin highlighted that the operation was part of the police’s broader commitment to cracking down on human trafficking and ensuring that such criminal activities are swiftly dismantled.
According to police reports, the three suspects arrested during the raid were directly involved in the abduction and trafficking of the victims. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to luring women from different parts of Lagos and its surrounding areas for the purpose of running the illegal baby factory. The victims were often promised employment or other opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in a life of exploitation.
Police investigations suggest that the women were not only being kept at the factory but were also being used to produce babies under horrendous conditions. Some of the victims reportedly faced physical abuse and were subjected to harsh living conditions while being kept in captivity. Their babies were likely to be sold on the black market, though specific details about the sale or transfer of babies are still under investigation.
The police spokesperson revealed that investigations are still ongoing, and efforts are being made to trace other potential victims who may have been exploited in similar operations. It is believed that this factory is not the only one operating in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria, as human trafficking remains a significant concern for law enforcement across the country.
The discovery of the baby factory in Lagos highlights the ongoing problem of human trafficking in Nigeria, which has become a critical issue in recent years. Human trafficking involves the illegal trade of people, often women and children, for exploitation, forced labor, and sexual slavery. Nigeria has become a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, with many victims being trafficked within the country and across borders.
Baby factories, where women are held and forced to give birth for the purpose of selling the babies, are a particularly disturbing form of trafficking. These factories operate in secrecy and are often hidden in plain sight, making them difficult for authorities to uncover. They prey on vulnerable women, often offering them false promises of employment or a better life, only to trap them in a horrific situation.
The issue has caught the attention of both local and international organizations working to combat human trafficking. In 2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) identified Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest rates of trafficking in persons. The Nigerian government has made efforts to combat trafficking, but experts argue that more resources, awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of laws are needed to address the scale of the problem.
The Nigerian government, through various law enforcement agencies, including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has been working to tackle the issue of human trafficking. NAPTIP is responsible for investigating cases of trafficking, rescuing victims, and prosecuting offenders. However, the challenge remains significant due to the complex nature of trafficking networks and the difficulty of locating hidden operations like baby factories.
In addition to law enforcement, NGOs and community-based organizations play an essential role in raising awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and providing support for victims. These organizations often collaborate with the government to help reintegrate survivors into society and prevent further victimization.
The Lagos Police Command’s recent operation serves as a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance in identifying and dismantling trafficking networks. It also underscores the need for greater public awareness and cooperation in the fight against this growing criminal industry.
