The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a maternity facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over an alleged ₦13.5 million baby-sale and child-trafficking operation involving a Liberian national resident in Belgium.
The agency, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, also arrested the owner of the facility, an alleged facilitator and another staff member in connection with the suspected procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children.
The facility, located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, was reportedly operating from a residential apartment and had become the subject of intelligence linking it to alleged child trafficking and illegal adoption activities.
NAPTIP said its investigation was triggered by intelligence suggesting that the maternity was being used by a criminal network to facilitate the procurement and transfer of children.
A preliminary investigation reportedly uncovered a disturbing development involving the Liberian national, who resides in Belgium. According to the agency, the woman arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within about one month.
The circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the children have raised serious questions, particularly over their identities, biological parentage and the legality of the transfers.
NAPTIP further disclosed that intelligence indicated that about ₦13.5 million allegedly changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and other individuals linked to the maternity facility.
Following the intelligence, operatives from the agency’s Abuja and Rivers commands, alongside officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, conducted a coordinated operation at the facility.
The premises were subsequently sealed to preserve potential evidence and prevent further activities while investigations continue.
Investigators are working to establish the identities and whereabouts of the three children and determine their biological and legal parentage. They are also tracing the alleged financial transactions and seeking to identify all persons involved in the procurement, transfer or facilitation of the children.
NAPTIP said it was further examining the possible involvement of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the alleged operation.
The development comes amid intensified surveillance by the agency on maternity and healthcare facilities suspected of operating as so-called “baby factories” or fertility scam centres.
NAPTIP said its Director-General, Binta Bello, had previously directed increased monitoring of suspected facilities following intelligence indicating that some were allegedly being used for illegal adoption, child sales and trafficking.
Bello expressed concern over the alleged activities of some maternity and health-centre operators, particularly the reported involvement of foreign nationals in procuring children through suspected criminal networks in Nigeria.
“I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronize these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable,” she said.
The NAPTIP boss vowed to widen the investigation and ensure that all individuals connected to the alleged operation are identified and brought to justice.
“We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Bello added.
She stressed, however, that the investigation remained ongoing and that all suspects would be accorded due process.
Bello assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted, while the safety, protection and welfare of the affected children would remain the agency’s foremost priority.
She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP through its nearest zonal or state command.
The latest operation highlights growing concerns over illicit maternity facilities and suspected child-trafficking networks exploiting Nigeria’s healthcare and adoption systems to facilitate the illegal sale and transfer of children.
