Operatives of the Mowe Division of the Ogun State Police Command have dismantled an alleged illegal baby factory in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state and arrested six suspects.
The operation was carried out on Monday, August 24, 2026, at a suspected syndicate’s hideout on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, near Mowe, following intelligence received by the police.
Police operatives reportedly rescued two heavily pregnant women and four children during the raid.
The pregnant women were identified as 23-year-old Ilesanmi Foluke, who was seven months pregnant, and 20-year-old Ejekwa Melody, who was eight months pregnant.
The six suspects arrested were Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Oseni Kusamotu Idaya; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; and Stephen Ogbona, 39. One of the suspects, Magdalene Julius, was identified as an attending nurse.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, said preliminary investigations indicated that human trafficking and illegal adoption activities had allegedly been taking place at the facility for some time.
According to him, the four children recovered comprised two boys and two girls.
Missing newborn under investigation
The investigation also led police operatives to a hospital within the Mowe area, where another alleged victim, 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong, had given birth to a baby boy on August 20.
Police said the mother was still receiving medical treatment at the hospital, but the whereabouts of her newborn could not be established.
The development prompted the arrest of the attending nurse as investigators continue efforts to locate the missing baby.
The police said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Authorities said the investigation will focus on determining the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s operations, locating the missing newborn and identifying all individuals involved.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating human trafficking, child trading and other forms of violent crime.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information that could help expose criminal activities and protect vulnerable persons.
