NSCDC Arrests Illegal Baby Factory Operator In Imo, Rescues 2-day Old Baby

Officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have
arrested a woman, Mrs Esther Akunmadu, for running an illegal baby
factory and harbouring pregnant young ladies for the purpose of
selling their babies after birth.

Parading the suspect on Friday at the command headquarters in Owerri,
the Imo State capital, in south-east Nigeria, the Deputy Commandant of
the NSCDC in Imo State, Mr Ade Micheal, said the woman was arrested in
Umuchoke in Obazu Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Akunmadu, 52, was arrested after a tip-off that led to an
intelligent and careful monitoring of the activities of the operator
for close to a week before closing up on her.

Mr Michael said that the preliminary investigations revealed that the
woman had been into the illegal business for over one year. At the
period of arrest, two male babies, 2-day old and 2-week old baby were
both recovered from her illegal maternity home.

He also said that while she was about to be arrested, she tried to
bribe her way with the sum of 100,000 Naira which his men rejected.

The Deputy Commandant warned all parents and guardians to be conscious
of the activities of people living within their neighbourhood
especially during this election period. He emphasised that the command
would ensure that all such activities would be nipped in the bud.

Without Knowledge Of Dealings
He also said that the command would hand the babies to the ministry of
women affairs and social development in the state and also hand over
the operator to appropriate authorities for further prosecution.

Mrs Akunmadu, when interrogated by reporters, had a different story to
tell, contrary to the testimonies of the NSCDC officials. She claimed
she was a retired midwife and that the alleged illegal and
unregistered baby factory was a home for women who wanted to give
birth.

She denied that she ran a baby factory but accepted that she was
trying to bribe her way out of the security operatives' net.

A 21-year old pregnant girl and one of the inmates in the illegal
maternity home, told reporters that her mother brought her to the
place without knowledge of the dealings between her mother and the
operator.

If going by the recent motion moved by the federal lawmakers on the
prescription of 10-year jail term for anyone that harbours a pregnant
girl for the purpose of giving birth to children for sale or running
an illegal baby factory, 52 years old Akunmadu will surely be the
first to be prosecuted.
--ChannelsTV