Lagos NSCDC Busts ‘Baby Factory’ in Badagry, Rescues 28 Victims
A major crackdown on human trafficking in Lagos has led to the dismantling of an illegal “baby factory” in Badagry, with 28 victims rescued and two suspects arrested in a carefully coordinated overnight operation.
The raid, carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), followed three weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Officials say the breakthrough reflects a renewed nationwide directive by the Corps’ Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, urging state commands to deploy technology-driven intelligence in tackling organised crime.
Addressing journalists in Badagry on Friday, Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, described the operation as a decisive blow against a criminal network preying on vulnerable women.
The illegal facility, located in the Okuju area of Olorunda, was stormed between the night of April 15 and the early hours of April 16. According to Keshinro, the suspects allegedly used a Facebook account to lure pregnant women with promises of financial reward—offering between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million in exchange for their babies after delivery.
Among those rescued were 17 heavily pregnant women, 10 children—including infants—and one adult male. Authorities withheld the identities of the victims and suspects for security and legal reasons.
Preliminary findings paint a grim picture of the conditions inside the facility. One of the victims reportedly lost her pregnancy due to the harsh and unsanitary environment, raising further concerns about the physical and psychological abuse endured by those held there.
Items recovered from the scene included a pumping machine, generator, gas cylinders, cooking equipment, mobile phones, mats and food supplies—suggesting a makeshift operation designed to sustain the illicit trade.
Keshinro condemned the operation in strong terms, describing it as “dastardly, inhumane and barbaric,” and warned that the command would intensify efforts to track down others involved in similar activities across the state.
The suspects and victims have since been transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and rehabilitation processes.
Authorities say the case underscores the growing sophistication of trafficking syndicates, particularly their use of social media platforms to recruit and exploit victims—often under the guise of financial assistance.
