The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected baby factory and human trafficking network operating in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to police sources, the illicit operation, which had been running for an undisclosed period, involved the sale of babies for between ₦400,000 and ₦600,000.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the discovery followed a report from a 17-year-old victim, identified as Vivian Peter, who was allegedly trafficked from Akwa Ibom to Ondo State under the guise of employment.
“Upon her arrival in Ore, she was taken to a supposed clinic which turned out to be a baby factory, where several other pregnant girls were being held,” Ayanlade stated. “The victim said she was later instructed to go for a medical scan at another hospital in Ore but managed to escape and alert the police.”
Acting on her report, operatives from the Ore Division, in collaboration with the Command’s Gender Unit, raided the facility and rescued five pregnant girls and a baby boy. Investigations further revealed that one of the victims had already delivered and was receiving postnatal care at the General Hospital, Ore.
Preliminary findings linked the operation to one Ada Clement, who, along with her accomplices, reportedly confessed to running the baby-selling syndicate. The suspects allegedly sold female babies for ₦400,000 and male babies for ₦600,000.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, has ordered a full-scale investigation and assured that all members of the syndicate, including those still at large, will be brought to justice.
He emphasized the Command’s commitment to tackling all forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking in the state.
“We will ensure that every individual involved in this heinous act faces the full weight of the law,” CP Lawal stated.
The rescued victims are currently in police protective custody, while efforts continue to track other fleeing members of the trafficking ring.
