A chilling discovery has rocked Lagos as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stormed a notorious baby factory in Badagry, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children from what authorities describe as a disturbing child-trafficking operation.
The late-night raid in Okuju, Ilado led to the arrest of two suspects, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, who are accused of running a network where babies were allegedly sold for cash.
Investigators revealed that vulnerable women were lured through Facebook groups promoting “help” for unwanted pregnancies and secret adoption deals. Once trapped, they were promised between ₦500,000 and ₦1.8 million after giving up their newborns.
According to Lagos NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering. Officers uncovered multiple rooms packed with victims, including 17 heavily pregnant women and infants allegedly waiting to be sold. One victim reportedly suffered a miscarriage.
“This is a grievous crime against humanity,” Keshinro declared, confirming that the suspects will face prosecution while victims are to be handed over to NAPTIP for care and protection.
Items recovered from the scene—baby supplies, generators, gas cylinders, and phones—suggest the operation had been running for a long time.
Meanwhile, the suspects insist the arrangement was “voluntary,” claiming the women agreed to exchange their babies for money and describing it as help for childless couples. But authorities have dismissed this defense, maintaining it was a calculated scheme exploiting vulnerable women for profit.
The shocking case has sparked outrage, raising fresh concerns about the growing menace of illegal baby factories in Nigeria.
