Outrage over discovery of baby factory where teenage girls are camped in Abia, Nigeria

The Nigeria Police on Sunday bursted a baby factory in Aba city in Nigeria’s eastern State of Abia.

Police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this at a news conference in Umuahia, the state capital.

ASP Chinaka said 16 pregnant girls -mostly teenagers- were rescued during the operation.

She said 13 of the rescued pregnant girls hail from Akwa Ibom State, two from Cross River State and one from Ebonyi State.

According to her, the Rapid Response Squad of the Abia State Police Command, acting on intelligence, swung into action and made the discovery.

Five males suspected to be hired to impregnate the girls, five male and three female children were also rescued from the ‘baby factory.’

The police spokesperson identified the suspects as 29 year old, Onyinyechi Okoro, and 32 year old man, Ekene Okezie.

She said while Mrs Okoro hails from Ihechiowa Community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr Okezie is from Aro-Ndizuogu, a community in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.

The police spokesperson added that further discreet investigation into the development is ongoing.

Meanwhile, wife of Abia State Governor, Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has condemned the operations of the baby factory.
The first lady who spoke in Umuahia the State capital on Sunday expressed sadness that while the world was celebrating the International Women’s Day Celebration, some criminally-minded persons were exploiting the naivety and innocence of the girls for selfish reasons.

She said, “I am deeply saddened by the discovery of a baby factory in Abia State. On a day when the world celebrates the remarkable achievements of women, it is disheartening to know that a few individuals are working to undermine our efforts to showcase the positive contributions of Abia women.

“We vehemently condemn the existence of baby factories in Abia State, where young girls are exploited, forced into pregnancy, and have their babies forcefully taken from them for profit. This barbaric practice endangers the lives and well-being of these girls, exposing them to serious health hazards including HIV and other STDs.

“It’s evident that these nefarious individuals exploit the poor economic challenges of this vulnerable group and their lack of adequate education which exacerbates their susceptibility to manipulation.

“We are aware of the challenges confronting such vulnerable girls and young women hence our commitment to train them in skills acquisition since the inception of the present administration”.

“She assured that her office would consistently provide training opportunities for girls until they are gainfully employed and empowered to resist such temptations of giving birth for profit.”

Mrs. Otti further assured of her commitment to collaborating with relevant government agencies in ensuring that those fueling abuse of Abia girls are held accountable, reminding the perpetrators and their sponsors that what they are doing is not an investment in women; but rather a destruction of womanhood, culture, and our generation.

She added that the government will not allow criminals to undermine the collective efforts of the government to build a decent state that would explore the talents of Abia women positively.

She called on Abia citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police or the Gender Based Violence office at the Office of the First Lady or the state Ministry of Women Affairs.

The First Lady also commended the Abia State Police Command led by the commissioner of Police, Mr Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, for their swift response and professionalism which led to the rescue of the girls and arrest of some suspects.

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