The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has shut down a residential apartment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, allegedly being operated as an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.
The Punch reported that the operation, carried out jointly by NAPTIP operatives and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, also resulted in the arrest of the facility’s owner, an alleged facilitator in the suspected sale of babies, and another staff member.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Vincent Adekoye, the operation followed intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children.
The facility is located in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, and was described by the agency as one of the high-profile health centres in the oil-rich state.
NAPTIP said preliminary investigations showed that a Liberian woman living in Belgium arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within about one month.
The agency said intelligence indicated that about ₦13.5 million was exchanged in connection with the transfer of the children.
The statement read, “In continuation of its nationwide clampdown on the activities of some suspected fraudulent illegal Maternity and Health Care facilities that have metamorphosed to “baby factories” across the country, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, have sealed up a residential apartment suspected of being converted into an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.
“The joint operation, which led to the arrest of the owner of the facility, the facilitator in the alleged baby sale saga, and one other member of staff of the maternity, followed actionable intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children.
“Acting on this intelligence, NAPTIP operatives (Abuja and Rivers State) and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health carried out a coordinated operation at the suspected facility, sealing the premises to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence pending the outcome of investigations.
“In the latest investigation, preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian national who resides in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy, yet within roughly one month allegedly took custody of three children under circumstances that have raised serious concern. Intelligence available to the agency indicates that approximately ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff of the maternity.
The agency said investigations were ongoing to establish the identities and whereabouts of the children and determine the roles played by individuals connected to the alleged transaction.
It added, “Investigators are now conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare status of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage, identify all persons involved in their procurement and transfer; and trace the financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding their alleged procurement.
“The agency is also examining the possible role of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise,” the statement added.
NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the alleged involvement of foreign nationals in baby-trafficking operations in Nigeria.
Bello said, “I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronise these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable.“We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
“I wish to reaffirm that the matter remains under active investigation and that all persons found connected to it will be subjected to due process under the law. The agency will ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, while the safety and welfare of the affected children remain its foremost priority.
“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and to report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling or other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP through its nearest zonal/state command.”
The agency recalled that Bello had earlier directed increased surveillance of suspected self-acclaimed maternity facilities nationwide following intelligence that some had allegedly turned into fertility scam centres involved in child sales and trafficking.
NAPTIP urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and related forms of exploitation to the agency.
