NAPTIP Seals Illegal Maternity Facility in Rivers

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a residential apartment in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, allegedly converted into an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.

The operation was conducted jointly by NAPTIP operatives and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health following intelligence on a network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children.

The operation led to the arrest of the facility owner, an alleged facilitator in the suspected baby-sale transaction and another member of staff.

NAPTIP said preliminary investigations indicated that a female Liberian national residing in Belgium arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within about one month.

The agency said intelligence available to investigators indicated that about ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the children.

The facility was sealed to preserve potential evidence while investigations continue.

NAPTIP said investigators were conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities and whereabouts of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage and identify all persons involved in their alleged procurement and transfer.

Investigators are also tracing financial transactions linked to the case and examining the possible involvement of medical personnel and other individuals.

NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the alleged involvement of foreign nationals in baby-trafficking activities in Nigeria.

She assured the public that everyone found culpable would face due process and the full weight of the law.

The agency urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP.