LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, have raided a baby factory at Umunkpei Nvosi in Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
The factory, allegedly operated by an indigene of the area, was raided on 4 June by troops, who, on arrival, rescued 22 ladies out of which 21 were pregnant, including two babies (a boy and a girl).
Other items found in the place include a Tiger generator, a stretcher, a gas cylinder, a bag of rice, four cartoons of tin tomatoes, five litres of Vegetable oil, two bags of garri and soup ingredients.
The operation followed an intelligence report that the factory owner was selling some of the babies to criminal agents for ritual purposes, and others for child trafficking.
It was alleged that the women also constituted a nuisance in the area and that sometimes, human parts were seen around the building.
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According to a member of the troop, the owner of the baby factory is currently at large, but efforts are ongoing to apprehend her.
However, one Katherine Oyechi Ngwanma, a 34-year-old chef at the facility, was arrested by the troops.
The pregnant women, as well as the babies, have been handed over to the Abia State Government for further action.
The soldiers were led by the Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Lt Omale Innocent Prince, and the Media Adviser to Governor Alex Otti, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma.
In an interview after the operation, Ekeoma commended the military for the operation, stating that there was no justification for why “this kind of thing should be happening in any part of Abia State”.
He assured that Alex Otti’s administration would sanitize the state while the Government will, in collaboration with the security agencies, conduct a thorough investigation on the matter.
Otti’s government, he said, would not allow such incidents to thrive in any part of the state henceforth.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Chinaka Maureen, could not be reached for comment.
