The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has sealed a suspected illegal maternity facility in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt. Also arresting three people in connection with an alleged baby sale worth ₦13.5 million involving a Liberian national residing in Belgium.
NAPTIP confirmed the operation in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye. The facility was operating from a residential apartment and was shut down to preserve potential evidence while investigations continue. The three arrested include the owner of the facility, an alleged facilitator of the transaction, and a member of staff.
The operation was carried out jointly by NAPTIP operatives from Abuja and Rivers State, working alongside officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health. This followed intelligence about a suspected child-trafficking syndicate involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children.
Preliminary Investigations
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Liberian national arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within approximately one month. Intelligence available to NAPTIP suggests that around ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of all three children. Investigators are now working to establish the identities, whereabouts, and welfare of the children. Also to trace the financial transactions linked to the alleged transfers, and determine the roles of medical personnel and others involved.
NAPTIP Director-General Binta Bello described the case in stark terms.
“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,” she said.
“This is sad and totally unacceptable.”
She confirmed that the investigation remains active and that all persons found connected to the matter would face prosecution.
The operation forms part of a nationwide crackdown on suspected illegal maternity facilities. Ones that NAPTIP says have been operating as so-called baby factories. It follows an earlier directive from Bello ordering intensified surveillance of such facilities. Especially after intelligence suggested some had become centres for fertility scams, child sales, and trafficking.
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