The Ekiti State Police Command has uncovered an illegal baby factory operating in Ikere Local Government Area of the state, leading to the arrest of five suspects and the rescue of six children believed to be victims of exploitation.
The discovery was made following a tip-off received by the police, which prompted swift action by officers of the command. The illegal facility was located behind a popular hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road in Ikere-Ekiti, a busy area with residential and commercial activities.
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Joe Eribo, confirmed the arrest and explained how the operation was carried out. He said the police acted on credible intelligence that pointed to suspicious activities taking place in the building.
According to the police commissioner, the main suspect arrested is a 43-year-old woman identified as Onyechi Oluwadare. She was arrested alongside four other women believed to be working with her. The other suspects are Onuoha Gloria, aged 28; Victoria Linus, aged 25; Ihegbogu Mercy, aged 21; and Emmanuel Esther, aged 23, who was said to be heavily pregnant at the time of the arrest.
In a statement released by the police, the command said the information was received early in the morning of January 24, 2026. “On the 24/01/2026 at about 08:30 hrs, the Command received a credible tip-off that the prime suspect, Oluwadare Onyechi, a 43-year-old woman, runs an illegal baby factory alongside four other suspects somewhere behind Inisa Hotel and Suit, along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti,” the statement read.
The police said officers immediately moved to the location, cordoned off the premises and arrested the suspects without resistance. A thorough search of the building was then carried out.
During the search, the police rescued six children between the ages of two and nine years. The children were found within the premises and are believed to have been held under conditions of bondage and exploitation. The police have not yet confirmed the biological parents of the children.
Items recovered from the scene included baby delivery materials, rolls of dexamethasone tablets, and several bottles of Goya oil. According to the police, these items raised further suspicion that the premises was being used for illegal child delivery and care activities.
The rescued children have since been taken into protective custody, where they are receiving care while investigations continue. The police said arrangements would be made to involve relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.
Illegal baby factories have remained a serious problem in parts of Nigeria over the years. Such places are often used for forced pregnancies, illegal adoption, child trafficking and exploitation. Young women, sometimes teenagers, are usually lured with promises of jobs, shelter or financial help, only to be forced into giving up their babies after delivery.
The Ekiti State Police Command said it remains committed to tackling such crimes and protecting vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Mr. Eribo urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to the police, noting that the success of the operation was due to a timely tip-off.
“This arrest shows the importance of community support in fighting crime. We encourage residents to report any suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods,” the police commissioner said.
However, the prime suspect, Onyechi Oluwadare, denied running an illegal baby factory when she was spoken to by journalists. She claimed that the building was only used as a place of prayer for people seeking divine intervention and God’s favour.
She insisted that she was not involved in baby trafficking or illegal child operations. The police, however, said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court once inquiries are completed.
Residents of Ikere-Ekiti expressed shock over the discovery, as many said they were unaware of what was happening within the building. Some community members called on the government to increase surveillance and public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ekiti State Government has also been urged to strengthen social welfare systems and support vulnerable families to reduce the chances of people falling into such criminal activities.
As investigations continue, the police assured the public that all those involved would be brought to justice. The case has once again drawn attention to the need for stronger action against child exploitation and illegal baby factories across the country.
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