The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled an illegal baby factory at Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects.

According to a statement signed by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Mowe Division following sustained intelligence on suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities at the facility.

The statement said the police stormed the alleged syndicate’s hideout at Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, a suburb of Mowe, at about 8:00 a.m.

The six suspects arrested were Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.

Opeyemi said two pregnant women were rescued during the operation.

They were identified as Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who was seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who was eight months pregnant.

Four children, comprising two boys and two girls, were also recovered from the premises.

The police spokesman further disclosed that intelligence-led follow-up operations took officers to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another victim, Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, had given birth to a baby boy on August 20.

According to the statement, while Effiong was found receiving medical treatment, the whereabouts of her newborn could not be established.

The attending nurse was subsequently arrested to assist the police in locating the missing infant.

The case, Opeyemi said, is being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

He said the investigation would seek to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s activities, locate the missing newborn and ensure the prosecution of every suspect found culpable.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for their prompt response and operational efficiency.

According to the statement, Ojajuni reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to stamping out human trafficking, child trading and other forms of violent crime across Ogun State.

The police commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to the police to support intelligence-led policing and enhance the safety of residents.