In a major crackdown on human trafficking, the Anambra State Government has sealed off an illegal baby factory operating under the guise of a hospital in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area.
The facility, named Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity and located near Tansian University at 1 School Road, was shut down on Saturday following a sting operation led by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with security agencies.
The operation, which followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, exposed the establishment as a hub for trafficking young girls and selling newborns.
Officials arrested several individuals linked to the operation, including five pregnant teenagers and ten others, while discovering that the so-called hospital was running on a forged medical license.
Speaking to reporters after the raid, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, revealed that the supposed hospital was being run by a fake doctor from Delta State and had been used as a base for exploiting girls aged between 15 and 21.
“Many of these girls were held against their will and impregnated, while their babies were trafficked through illegal adoption channels,” Dr. Obidike stated. “This marks a critical victory in the state’s efforts to combat child trafficking, human rights violations, and gender-based abuse.”
He added that the state’s health surveillance teams—particularly the State Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit and the Anti-Quackery Taskforce—have been instrumental in tracking down unauthorized medical facilities.
“This is a warning to those operating fake health centres. We are committed to purging Anambra of quack practitioners who exploit the vulnerable. Anyone caught will face the full weight of the law,” Obidike warned.
Also present during the operation was the Acting Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, who affirmed that rescued victims were now receiving medical treatment and psychological support.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the syndicate, with suspects likely to face charges including human trafficking, illegal detention, and exploitation of minors.
Dr. Obidike urged members of the public to support the government’s effort by reporting suspicious activities related to healthcare or child exploitation. “Public vigilance and community support are crucial in dismantling these criminal networks,” he concluded.