The Ondo State Police Command has busted a suspected baby factory and human trafficking syndicate operating in Ore, headquarters of the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The factory was discovered after a pregnant teenager identified as Viva Peter from Ikot Ekpan, Akwa Ibom State, reported at Ore Division that she had been trafficked to Ore under the guise of being offered a job opportunity.

According to a statement on Sunday by the state police spokesman, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, Ms Peter, 17,  upon her arrival in Ore, was taken to a supposed clinic which later turned out to be a baby factory.

Mr Ayanlade explained that the teenager met other pregnant girls allegedly being held for exploitation inside the baby factory.

He noted that Ms Peter revealed that the facility’s owner, Ada Clement, later instructed that she be taken to another hospital in Ore for a medical scan.

Mr Ayanlade explained that the victim managed to escape and sought refuge at Ore Division, where she reported the incident.

The police spokesperson said that operatives from the division raided the factory and rescued five pregnant girls and a baby boy.

“It was discovered that one of the victims had already given birth and is presently receiving post-natal treatment at the General Hospital, Ore, while the remaining rescued victims are in safe protective custody of the police.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the prime suspect, Ada Clement, and her accomplices have confessed to the crime, admitting that the facility was being used as a baby factory, where young pregnant girls were kept until they delivered, after which their babies were sold to individuals seeking children.

“It was further disclosed that the babies were sold for N400,000 and above for female children and N600,000 and above for male children, respectively,” Mr Ayanlade said.

He added that the case, which was transferred from the Ore Division to the command’s gender-based violence unit, is presently under active investigation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has ordered a comprehensive and discreet investigation into the case to ensure that all members of the trafficking ring are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the directives of the Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, emphasising that the police will not relent in the fight against human trafficking, child exploitation, and gender-based violence in all its forms.