Officers of the Abia State Police Command have busted a baby factory located in the commercial capital of the state, Aba, and rescued at least eight pregnant women while arresting two suspects.
ABN TV reports that the operation on Thursday follows a credible intelligence gathered by the Rapid Response Unit of the state police command about the notorious activities at the baby factory.
The Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka briefed journalists at the Police headquarters in Umuahia, while parading the two suspects.
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According to her, in addition to the total number of 16 pregnant women rescued, eight children were also rescued.
She noted that the eight children comprise of five males and three females.
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She gave the names of the suspects as Onyinyechi Okoro, 29 from Ihechiowa (F), Arochukwu LGA and one Ekene Okezie (M) from Arondizuogu.
The police spokesperson pointed out that a discreet investigation is already ongoing on the matter.
The Command advised the Abia public to be security conscious by reporting any suspicious person or activities around them, assuring that it is committed to securing the safety and security of law-abiding residents of the state.
The male suspect, Ekene Okezie denied any involvement, claiming that he was just a lawful tenant living in the building where the baby factory was located.
The female suspect, Onyinyechi Okoro, said she was employed by another male suspect who provided money for her to use in taking care of the pregnant women and their babies, adding that she regretted her actions.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Alex Otti, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, commended the efforts of security agencies, especially the Abia State Police Command.
He made it clear that the state government has zero tolerance for the abuse of young girls and children, saying that no suspect arrested in the crackdown would be left unpunished.
He recalled how young women were also rescued from a baby factory in Isiala Ngwa South, even as he maintained that it was not the culture of Abia people to be involved in child trafficking.
Ekeoma assured that the rescued girls and their babies would be rehabilitated and reunited with their families.
In her speech, Abia State Commissioner for Women Affair and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix, who was represented by Ogechi Oguama, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, stressed that the government was against every form of abuse of women and children, saying that the girls would be counseled.
The commissioner also advised parents to train their children well.
