BENIN CITY – Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki has said that the state government will not tolerate any forms of baby factories and human trafficking in the state.
She made the declaration while parading one of the operators alongside five of her victims before Journalists in Benin City.
Mrs. Obaseki said that her attention was drawn to the illegal operation at the Ikpoba Hill axis of the state and she immediately swung into action leading to the arrest of the suspect and her victims.
Obaseki added that it is against the law to keep pregnant young girls at home and that after delivery, their babies will be sold off.
She said the full wrath of the law must fall squarely on the perpetrator.
She said the woman has been operating illegally for two years now.
The First Lady added that the state government has made it easy for those interested in adopting a child to do so and will welcome the idea of cutting corners.
Speaking to Journalists during the parade, the suspect, Mrs. Jennifer Osagiede, 48, denied running a baby factory.
She said she went to Nursing school but she dropped out a long the line.
One of the victims from Imo state, named Blessing, 17, said she was hypnotized and raped by a boy and out of shame, her aunty decided to send her to meet the said woman in Benin City.
Blessing, an SS1 student said she met four other pregnant girls in the home.