Nigeria busts child trafficking ring, seals illegal maternity facility

Authorities in Nigeria have shut down a suspected "baby factory" in Rivers State, uncovering an alleged child trafficking ring. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), working with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, sealed a residential apartment in Port Harcourt that was allegedly converted into an illegal maternity facility.

The operation was prompted by actionable intelligence regarding a criminal network involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children. During the raid, NAPTIP operatives arrested the owner of the facility, a facilitator involved in the alleged baby sales, and another staff member. The facility is described as one of the "high-profile health centres in the oil-rich state."

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In continuation of its nationwide clampdown on the activities of some suspected fraudulent illegal Maternity and Health Care facilities that have metamorphosed to “baby factories” across the country, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, have sealed up a residential apartment suspected of being converted into an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.

Preliminary investigations have raised serious concerns about a Liberian national, who resides in Belgium, allegedly taking custody of three children within a month of arriving in Nigeria, despite no evidence of pregnancy. Intelligence suggests that a transaction amounting to approximately ₦13.5 million (about $8,500 USD) was involved in the transfer of these children and potentially others. NAPTIP is now investigating to identify the children and locate them, as well as to uncover the full scope of the network's operations.

This crackdown is part of NAPTIP's broader nationwide campaign against fraudulent illegal maternity and healthcare facilities that operate as "baby factories." The agency emphasized the need for a coordinated approach, involving collaboration with state health ministries, to dismantle these operations and safeguard vulnerable children.

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In the latest investigation, preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian national who resides in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy, yet within roughly one month allegedly took custody of three children under circumstances that have raised serious concern. Intelligence available to the agency indicates that approximately ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff of the maternity.