Alleged ‘Baby Factory’ Busted in Imo: Five Pregnant Women and Newborns Rescued from Suspected Child Trafficking Ring
Authorities in Imo State have disrupted an alleged child trafficking operation after rescuing five pregnant women and five newborn babies from a facility suspected of operating as a “baby factory” in Owerri. The intervention followed the arrest of the orphanage owner, Tochukwu Ogaranya, 52, and an alleged accomplice, Godwin Nnamdi, 47, who are now in custody as investigations continue.
According to the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the operation was triggered when one of its officers spotted a pregnant teenager attempting to escape from the facility located in the World Bank area of Owerri.
The unusual situation raised immediate concerns and prompted officers to enter the premises, where they discovered other pregnant women and newborn babies believed to be connected to the suspected trafficking network.
Security officials say the case highlights the serious risks faced by vulnerable pregnant women who may be lured or pressured into illegal arrangements involving the sale of babies. One of the rescued women explained that she had been introduced to the orphanage by someone she barely knew, who suggested she could deliver her baby there and sell the child afterward. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she later scaled the compound fence in an attempt to escape.
The orphanage owner has denied involvement in any illegal activities, insisting that the facility is properly registered and not engaged in child trafficking. However, authorities say the suspects will face prosecution while investigations continue to determine the full scope of the operation.
Child protection advocates say the incident underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight of orphanages, better support systems for pregnant women in crisis, and greater public awareness of trafficking schemes that target vulnerable individuals and infants.
