Joyce Onwuka
In continuation of its nationwide clampdown on the activities of some suspected fraudulent illegal Maternity and Health Care facilities that have metamorphosed to “baby factories, ” across the Country, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, have sealed up a residential apartment suspected of being converted into an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.
The joint operation, which led to the arrest of the owner of the facility, the facilitator in the alleged baby sale saga, and one other member of staff of the maternity, followed actionable intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children.
The Hospital is located in the Elelenwo area of the Rivers State Capital, Porthacourt, and is widely regarded as one of the high-profile health Centres in the oil-rich State.
It would be recalled that the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, had, a few months ago, ordered an improved surveillance on some suspected self-acclaimed Maternities across the country following credible intelligence which indicates that most of them have become fertility scam Centres with an unimaginable fraud arising from child sale and trafficking.
In the latest investigation, preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian national who resides in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy, yet within roughly one month allegedly took custody of three children under circumstances that have raised serious concern. Intelligence available to the Agency indicates that approximately ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff of the maternity.
Acting on this intelligence, NAPTIP operatives (Abuja and Rivers State) and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health carried out a coordinated operation at the suspected facility, sealing the premises to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence pending the outcome of investigations.
Investigators are now conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare status of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage, identify all persons involved in their procurement and transfer; and trace the financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding their alleged procurement.
The Agency is also examining the possible role of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise.
Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed worry over the fraudulent activities of operators of some Maternity and Health Centres across the country, most especially their suspected involvement in illegal adoption, child sale and trafficking.
She said, “I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronize these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable.
“We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the Law”
“I wish to reaffirm that the matter remains under active investigation and that all persons found connected to it will be subjected to due process under the law. The Agency will ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, while the safety and welfare of the affected children remain its foremost priority.
“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and to report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling or other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP through its nearest zonal/state command, ” the NAPTIP Director General stated.