Child Trafficking: Police Rescue 4 Infants, 19 Expectant Mothers in Lagos

Matilda Omonaiye/

Two women identified as fake nurses have been held by the police in Lagos after four children and 19 expectant mothers were rescued from a baby factory raided by officers.

The arrested suspects were identified as 40-year-old Happiness Ukwuoma who hails from Imo State and 54-year-old Sherifat Ipeya from Epe, in Lagos.

According to the police, the suspected child traffickers were busted on September 19, by detectives from Isheri-Osun Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Chike Ibe, who stormed a building at 14, Adisa Street, Ayanwale area, of Ikotun, in Lagos, following a tip-off.

“The babies are sold between N300, 000 and N500, 000 depending on the sex. Boys are sold for N500, 000 and girls for N300, 000

Lagos State police spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, told NewsmakersNG that the house was being used for child trafficking.

Elkana revealed in a statement on Sunday that 19 pregnant girls in the age range of 15 and 28 were rescued.

Elkana stated that the rescued children were found in four locations, namely: 32 Owosho Street, Governor Road, Ikotun; 29 Olugbeyohun Street, Olakunle Bus Stop Abaranje, and 4/6 Anomo Street, Abaranje.

He stated: “The pregnant women were brought from Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia and Imo States. Two suspects namely Happiness Ukwuoma ‘f’ 40 years old and Sherifat Ipeya ‘f’ 54 years old were arrested in connection with the case. The suspects did not receive formal medical training but operate as nurses.”

Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt for a principal suspect, identified as Madam Oluchi, a mother of five from Mbano, Imo State.

“The young women were mostly abducted by the suspects for the purpose of getting them pregnant and selling the babies to potential buyers. The girls were tricked with employment as domestic staff in Lagos. The babies are sold between N300, 000 and N500, 000 depending on the sex. Boys are sold for N500, 000 and girls for N300, 000,” Elkana stated, adding that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Zubairu Muazu has visited the scene and ordered the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department to take over the case.

He disclosed that police authorities were working with other agencies and stakeholders to rehabilitate and resettle the pregnant girls and the babies, as police prepare to charge the suspects to court after investigations are concluded.

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