Troop arrests 34-year old woman as 21 pregnant girls rescued in Abia ‘baby factory’
A 34-year old woman, Katherine Oyechi Ngwanma, involved in operating a ‘baby factory’ in Umunkpei Nvosi, Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, has been arrested by men of the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia.
When the troop raided the facility on Sunday, no fewer than twenty two girls were rescued.
Out of the twenty two girls, twenty one are pregnant.
Also, two babies, a boy and a girl, were among those reportedly rescued by the troop.
The Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Lt. Omale Innocent Prince, and the Media Adviser to Governor Alex Otti, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, who led the troop to raid the facility disclosed that the owner of the ‘baby factory’ is currently at large, saying efforts are ongoing to apprehend her.
Omale also disclosed that items found in the facility include a Tiger generator, a stretcher, gas cylinder, a bag of rice, 4 cartoons of tin tomatoes, 5 litres of Vegetable oil, 2 bags of garri and soup ingredients.
According to him, the troop raided the baby factory following an intelligence report that the owner of the factory was selling some of the babies to criminal agents for ritual purposes, and others for child trafficking.
He also said that people alleged that the woman was also constituting a nuisance in the area and that sometimes, human parts were seen around the building.
He, however, said that the pregnant women, as well as the babies, have been handed over to the Abia State Government for further action.