Lagos NSCDC Busts Baby Factory in Badagry, Rescues 18 Pregnant Women and 10 Children
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Lagos State have uncovered a disturbing illegal baby factory operation in the Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry. The raid, conducted late Wednesday night into early Thursday, resulted in the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children, with two suspects apprehended at the scene.
Three-Week Intelligence Operation Leads to Discovery
According to Lagos State NSCDC Commandant Adedotun Keshinro, the operation followed three weeks of meticulous intelligence gathering. "They are operating a baby factory where victims are made pregnant. When the babies are delivered, they are sold," Keshinro stated during a parade of the suspects and victims at the NSCDC office in Ibereko, Badagry, on Friday.
The suspects, identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, allegedly used Facebook groups to target vulnerable women, promising payments ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1.8 million for surrendering their newborns immediately after delivery. Authorities described the scheme as a "grievous crime against humanity."
Victims' Conditions and Suspects' Defense
The rescued women, aged between 18 and 30, were reportedly lured through online negotiations. One victim, identified simply as Joy, explained she turned to the facility after becoming pregnant by what she described as an irresponsible man, with her two other children already being cared for by her mother in the village.
While the women stated they were fed regularly, allowed phone use, and could request medical attention, they were not permitted to leave freely before delivery without forfeiting payment. Among the 18 pregnant women rescued, one had suffered a miscarriage, leaving 17 still carrying pregnancies.
During questioning, suspect Joy Okeke insisted she was merely facilitating adoptions. "We are adopting children to give to those who don't have children. I have been doing this for some months," she claimed, though she declined further comment without legal representation.
Raphael Agwu defended the operation, stating: "There are agents on an online group who propose that instead of aborting it, you can come to us, and we will take care of you. And when you deliver the child, we'll take the baby for ourselves." He added that compensation of at least ₦1 million attracted many participants.
Items Recovered and Next Steps
Items recovered from the facility included:
- A pumping machine and generator
- Standing fans and gas cylinders
- Cooking pots and food items
- Phones, mats, and toiletries
- Baby skincare products
These discoveries indicated the building functioned as a full-time residence for the pregnant women. Commandant Keshinro noted the Lagos State Government would decide whether to demolish the property to prevent its continued use for illegal activities.
The suspects will be handed over to police for prosecution, while the rescued women and children have been transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for care and rehabilitation.
This operation has left the quiet Badagry neighborhood grappling with the disturbing revelation that, behind closed doors, infants were being negotiated and sold as commodities.
