NAPTIP Uncovers Suspected Baby Trafficking Ring In Cross River

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has uncovered a suspected baby trafficking operation involving newborns in Cross River State.

The Head of Operations of the NAPTIP Cross River Command, Jacob Oba, disclosed this in Calabar on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Oba said the agency uncovered the operation after security personnel intercepted women allegedly involved in obtaining babies through fraudulent pregnancy claims.

According to him, three women in Obubra were allegedly claiming to be pregnant while making arrangements with midwives to obtain newborn babies.

He said investigations also revealed that a woman from Akwa Ibom allegedly stole a week-old baby girl and sold the child for N3 million to one of the women who claimed to have a cryptic pregnancy.

Oba explained that the woman who allegedly bought the baby and two others were making arrangements to obtain additional babies when they were intercepted.

He said investigations established that the biological mother of the baby was in Akwa Ibom, confirming that the child had allegedly been stolen before being sold.

The NAPTIP official added that the women were also suspected of operating baby factories, although the particular baby involved in the case was allegedly not obtained from the facility.

He said the case came to the attention of security personnel after community members stopped a vehicle carrying the women and the baby.

According to him, the alleged buyer claimed the child was hers but was unable to breastfeed the baby when questioned by security personnel.

The suspects were subsequently taken for questioning, which allegedly led investigators to the supplier of the baby. The supplier was later arrested and allegedly confessed to selling the child.

Oba said the suspects were arrested on June 22, but investigators needed time to properly establish the facts before making the case public.

He added that the matter would be charged to court, with further proceedings expected in October.

NAPTIP said investigations would continue as authorities work to establish the full extent of the suspected trafficking operation and identify other persons who may have been involved.