In a significant operation conducted Thursday night, operatives of the Abia State Police Command successfully dismantled a baby factory in Aba, rescuing 16 pregnant inmates along with eight children. The operation, led by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), followed credible information provided by local residents.
The RRS operative leading the operation disclosed, “Yesterday night, we decided to visit the place, a four-story building with 10 flats and another adjacent building in the same compound. We were able to capture 16 of them, all pregnant. One of the facilitators, Onyinyechi, was also pregnant, and another, Ekpene (male), who lives in the compound was also arrested, and eight children were recovered.”
Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend other individuals associated with the illicit activity, while investigations have commenced. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, expressed relief at the rescue, coinciding with the International Women’s Day, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the rescued women during the investigative process.
Collaborating with the office of the state governor’s wife, the ministry pledges to provide proper care and support to the inmates. Mrs. Felix highlighted the role of poverty in driving such vices and urged parents to engage with their children openly and impart them with the right values.
Ferdinand Ekeoma, the state governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, commended the police and other security agencies for their professionalism and dedication in uncovering the baby factory. He reiterated the government’s determination to restore peace and security in the state, pledging support for the prosecution of those involved.
Ekeoma appealed to the public to reject such activities, emphasizing that it goes against the state’s cultural norms and values. He urged parents to discourage their children from engaging in such immoral activities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating such crimes and ensuring the protection of vulnerable individuals.