Police uncover suspected baby factory in Ekiti, arrest five

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ekiti State Police Command has uncovered a suspected illegal baby factory in Ikere Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of five persons.

The Commissioner of Police, Joe Eribo, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, following a tip-off received by the command.

Eribo said operatives stormed a building located behind a hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti, where one Onyechi Oluwadare, 43, was arrested as the prime suspect.

Four others—Gloria Onuoha, 28; Victoria Linus, 25; Mercy Ihegbogu, 21; and a heavily pregnant Esther Emmanuel, 23—were also taken into custody.

The police said a search of the premises led to the rescue of six children aged between two and nine years, who were suspected to be victims of confinement and exploitation.

Items recovered from the location included baby delivery equipment, rolls of dexamethasone tablets, and bottles of Goya oil.

However, the prime suspect denied operating a baby factory, claiming the building was used only as a prayer house for people seeking divine intervention.