Baby factory raided, 22 pregnant girls rescued in Abia

An illegal baby factory operating at Umunkpeyi Nvosi in Isialangwa South local government area of Abia state has been raided by the Nigerian Army.

A statement issued to newsmen by the Public Relations officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Lieutenant Innocent Omale, said the raid was carried out due to a tip-off.

He stated that during the raid, 22 pregnant young ladies, between the ages of 20 and 25, were rescued from the factory.

The Army spokesman gave the name of the owner of the illegal baby factory as Nma Lilian Achumba from Umunkpeyi community in Isialangwa South local government area.

The victims were later handed over to the Abia state government by the Army for further investigations.

Speaking after receiving the women, the special adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma commended the Army for the raid, stating that government was committed to the fight against all forms of child and human trafficking in the state.

Some of the rescued women and girls who spoke with Radio Nigeria recounted how they came to be inmates in the baby factory.

The owner of the facility had, on sighting the Army patrol vehicles, escaped with one of the girls, leaving the others with two babies in the building.