Six expectant girls rescued from Enugu ‘baby factory’

 The police have uncovered another ‘baby factory’.

Six expectant teenage girls kept in a guardian’s home in Enugu were rescued after a raid on the private residence by security operatives.

Enugu police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said yesterday that the anti-kidnap unit of the police, acting on a tip-off raided No 7, Anyansi Lane, Ogui Enugu, where they rescued the teenagers.

The girls, who are said to be 17 years old gave their names as Chioma Eze, Amarachi Okoro, Gloria Okoye, Uzoamaka Lawrence, Nneji Faith and Akpan Juliana

.Amaraizu told reporters that the teenagers were smuggled out of their guardians’ home and kept in a hideout where they were expected to give birth before the babies sold to bidders.

Three persons are said to be behind the business.

Those in custody are Lami Lasu, Isha Musa and Anthony Chigbo, an indigene of Enugu State.

Amaraizu said investigations into the incident were going.

The rescued girls were still in the custody of the police as at the time of going to the press.

Police were yet to establish contact with the parents and guardians of the girls.

According to Amaraizu, the identity of the owner of the building where the girls were hidden was yet to be established.

The police spokesman added that investigators were heading to a clue that would lead to the discovery of other enclaves in Enugu.

“The suspects have made useful statements to the police investigators and more of such enclaves housing pregnant teenagers will soon be discovered,” he said.

Last week, another ‘baby factory’ was uncovered in Imo State, where 17 teenage girls were rescued.

Also yesterday, a man, Marcel Agu and his wife Calista, were arrested by the police for stealing a 12-day old male child from the mother, Chika Nwokolo, after delivery in an unnamed maternity home on Ebony Paint Road in Awkunanaw.

Police spokesman Amaraizu said the arrest of the couple led to the arrest of Mrs Nebo Stella, the supposed proprietor of the maternity home and one Patrick Ugwu in connection with the alleged incident.

The stolen child, according to the police, was recovered hale and hearty.