Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered a baby factory in Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry, Lagos.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday night, April 15, 2026, into the early hours of Thursday, April 16, 2026, led to the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children. Two suspects, identified as Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, were arrested at the facility.
According to findings, the victims were lured to the centre through offers circulated on Facebook. The arrangement reportedly involved pregnant women agreeing to surrender their babies after delivery in exchange for payments ranging from N500,000 to N1.8 million.
The victims, aged between 18 and 30, were paraded at the NSCDC Badagry Division office in Ibereko on Friday, April 17, 2026. Some of the women were said to have arrived at the facility with their own children, who were also allegedly being offered for sale.
Speaking during the parade, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, said the operation followed three weeks of intelligence gathering.
“They are operating a baby factory where victims are made pregnant. When the babies are delivered, they are sold,” Keshinro said.
“The suspects entice pregnant women to come in with promises that once they deliver, the babies will be taken and sold to interested buyers, while the women are paid off.”
He disclosed that out of the 18 pregnant women rescued, one had suffered a miscarriage, leaving 17 currently carrying pregnancies. He added that some babies already born at the facility were also being negotiated for sale.
Describing the operation as a “grievous crime against humanity,” Keshinro said the suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution, while the victims would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for rehabilitation and further care.
Items recovered from the facility included a pumping machine, generator, standing fans, gas cylinders, cooking utensils, mobile phones, mats, toiletries, baby skincare products, tableware, and assorted food items.
Keshinro added that the property would be handed over to the Lagos State Government, which may decide to demolish it to prevent further illegal activities.
One of the suspects, Okeke, claimed the operation was an adoption service for childless couples. She said she relocated from Ikorodu to Badagry in January 2026 in search of a larger space.
“We are adopting children to give to those who don’t have any. I have been doing this for some months. We were in Ikorodu before. We are two operating this place,” she said, declining further comments without her lawyer present.
Some of the rescued women told journalists that they willingly entered agreements with the operators after negotiating online, agreeing to hand over their babies in exchange for money. One said she was promised N1 million, while another claimed she was to receive N1.8 million.
A victim identified as Joy said she opted for the arrangement after becoming pregnant for what she described as an irresponsible partner. She added that her two other children were being cared for by her mother in the village.
The women also claimed they were fed regularly, had access to their phones, and could request medical attention when needed, but were not allowed to leave the facility freely. They added that leaving before delivery meant forfeiting any payment.
Agwu, who was also arrested, argued that the facility provided an alternative to abortion and support for childless couples.
“There are agents on online groups who tell them instead of aborting, they can come to us. When they deliver, we take the baby,” he said, insisting that the women consented to the arrangement.
He added that many of the women were already pregnant before arriving and were motivated by the promise of financial compensation.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with more details expected as the case unfolds.
