The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a baby factory and human trafficking network operating in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area. Officers rescued five pregnant girls and a baby boy during the raid.
How Police Exposed the Syndicate
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said the case began when 17-year-old Vivian Peter, from Ikot Ekpan in Akwa Ibom State, reported her ordeal at the Ore Division. She told officers that traffickers lured her to Ore with a fake job offer.
When she arrived, they took her to a so-called clinic that turned out to be a baby factory. There, she met several other pregnant girls being held.
The prime suspect, Ada Clement, later ordered her to visit another hospital for a scan. Vivian managed to escape and ran to the police for help.
Police Rescue Victims and Shut Down the Facility
Acting on Vivian’s report, officers from the Ore Division and the Gender-Based Violence Unit launched a quick operation. They stormed the building and rescued five pregnant girls and one baby boy.
One of the victims had already delivered and is receiving care at the General Hospital, Ore. The other rescued girls are now under police protection.
During questioning, Clement and her accomplices confessed to using the clinic as a baby-selling center. They kept pregnant girls there until delivery, then sold the babies.
Investigators found that female babies were sold for ₦400,000 or more, while male babies went for ₦600,000 or above.
Investigation and Hunt for More Suspects
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, ordered a full investigation to track down and arrest everyone involved. Detectives from the Gender-Based Violence Unit are now pursuing the fleeing members of the group.
Police Also Capture Kidnapping Gang
In a separate operation, the police also arrested members of a kidnapping gang that had been terrorizing travellers on major highways in the southwest.
A 20-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Ibrahim, was arrested in Ore after officers received credible intelligence. He admitted to joining a gang responsible for multiple kidnappings along the Benin–Ore Expressway and Sagamu–Lagos Expressway.
Ibrahim’s confession helped investigators track two more suspects in Benin City, Edo State. Officers from the State Anti-Kidnapping Section (SAKS) arrested them and brought them to Akure for questioning.
The suspects are cooperating with police to identify and arrest other members still operating between Lagos and Edo States.
Commissioner Praises Officers and Reassures Residents
Commissioner Lawal praised the officers for their swift response and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to keeping Ondo State safe. He urged residents to stay alert, share useful information, and support the police in their fight against human trafficking, kidnapping, and other crimes.
