Sixteen women who are in various stages of pregnancy have been rescued by the Rapid Response Squad of Abia State Police Command.
They were rescued on March 7, 2024 following credible intelligence gathered by the Rapid Response Unit about the notorious activities going on at the baby factory.
The Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, who briefed journalists at the Police headquarters in Umuahia, while parading the rescued women and their children, alongside two suspects, said a total of 16 pregnant girls and eight children were rescued.
She noted that the eight children comprise of five males and three females.
She said that two suspects, Onyinyechi Okoro from Ihechiowa (F), Arochukwu LGA who is 29 years and one Ekene Okezie (M) from Arondizuogu, Imo State, were also nabbed at the baby factory.
The police spokesperson pointed out that discreet investigation is already ongoing on the matter.
The Command advised the Abia public to be security conscious by reporting any suspicious person or activities around them, assuring that it is committed to securing the safety and security of law-abiding residents of the state.
Speaking to journalists during the parade, the male suspect, Ekene Okezie from Arondizuogu, Imo State, claimed that he was just a lawful tenant living in the building where the baby factory was located.
But the female suspect, Onyinyechi Okoro, said she was employed by another male suspect who provided money for her to use in taking care of the pregnant women and their babies, adding that she regretted her actions.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Alex Otti, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, commended the efforts of security agencies, especially the Abia State Police Command.
He made it clear that the state government has zero tolerance for abuse of young girls and children, saying that no suspect arrested in the crackdown would be left unpunished.
He recalled how young women were also rescued from a baby factory in Isiala Ngwa South, even as he maintained that it was not the culture of Abia people to be involved in child trafficking.
Ekeoma assured that the rescued girls and their babies would be rehabilitated and reunited with their families.
In her speech, Abia State Commissioner for Women Affair and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix, who was represented by Ogechi Oguama, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, stressed that the government was against every form of abuse of women and children, saying that the girls would be counseled .
The commissioner also advised parents to train their children well.