The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a suspected illegal maternity facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested three people over an alleged ₦13.5 million baby sale involving three children.
The agency said the suspects included the owner of the facility, an alleged facilitator of the transaction and a staff member.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Vincent Adekoye, the facility is located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt and was allegedly operating from a residential apartment.
The operation was conducted by NAPTIP operatives from Abuja and Rivers State in collaboration with officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
NAPTIP said the operation followed intelligence indicating the existence of a suspected child-trafficking syndicate involved in the procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children.
Preliminary investigations, according to the agency, showed that a Liberian national residing in Belgium arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within approximately one month.
Investigators are now working to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare of the children, as well as determine their biological and legal parentage.
The agency said intelligence available to investigators suggested that about ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the alleged transfer of the three children.
NAPTIP stressed that investigations remain ongoing and that the circumstances surrounding the children’s acquisition and transfer are yet to be fully established.
Investigators are also expected to trace the financial transactions linked to the alleged transfers and establish the roles played by medical personnel and other individuals who may have been involved.
The identities and whereabouts of the three children are being investigated as authorities seek to determine whether they were victims of trafficking or other forms of unlawful child transfer.
NAPTIP said the maternity facility was sealed to preserve potential evidence while the investigation continues.
The agency described the operation as part of its nationwide efforts to tackle fraudulent maternity and healthcare facilities allegedly operating as so-called baby factories.
NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some maternity and healthcare facilities in illegal adoption, child sales and trafficking.
Bello particularly raised concerns over allegations that foreign nationals travel to Nigeria to obtain children through suspected criminal networks.
She said the agency had expanded its investigation and would ensure that anyone found to have participated in the alleged activities faces the law.
The NAPTIP director-general said the investigation remains active and that all individuals found to be connected to the case would be subjected to due process.
She added that the agency’s priority remains ensuring the safety and welfare of the affected children while the investigation continues.
The latest operation comes amid increased surveillance of suspected maternity facilities across Nigeria.
NAPTIP said the director-general had earlier directed officers to intensify monitoring following intelligence suggesting that some facilities were allegedly being used for fertility scams, child sales and trafficking.
The agency said some suspected facilities had allegedly become centres for illegal activities under the guise of providing maternity or healthcare services.
The crackdown is aimed at identifying facilities and individuals involved in the exploitation and unlawful transfer of children.
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NAPTIP has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and other forms of exploitation.
The agency encouraged citizens to contact its nearest zonal or state command when they have information about suspected trafficking activities.
As the investigation continues, NAPTIP said it would focus on establishing the identities and welfare of the three children allegedly involved in the case.
Authorities are also expected to determine their biological and legal parentage and establish how they came into the custody of the individuals under investigation.
The agency said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Port Harcourt operation highlights the continued efforts by Nigerian authorities to uncover suspected child-trafficking networks and prevent maternity and healthcare facilities from being used to facilitate the unlawful sale or transfer of children.