In a successful operation on Tuesday, May 30, the Rivers State Police Command rescued six pregnant young women from an illegal child trafficking center located in the Aliu area of the state.
The women, aged between 20 and 23 years, were reportedly being held captive by a syndicate that had intentions to sell their babies once they were born.
During the raid, the owner of the illegal center, identified as Akudo Azoroh, was apprehended along with an accomplice, according to a statement released by the police.
The syndicate had been operating the center clandestinely, exploiting vulnerable pregnant women for their own profit.
Azoroh, who was paraded on Wednesday, May 31, claimed that she facilitated adoptions for families without children and denied any involvement with ritual practices.
She disclosed that the young women came to her center already pregnant, seeking monetary compensation ranging from N800,000 to N900,000, depending on the state of their pregnancy and the gender of the baby.
“I have given out six children in the past. I started the business three years ago. I do not have boys who get the girls pregnant. They were already pregnant when they came; they came to me on their own,” Azoroh stated.
She further explained that she would give the babies only to families who were unable to conceive on their own.
The amount paid for the baby depended on the baby’s gender, while the mothers received compensation based on the stage of their pregnancy at the time they arrived at the center.
During interviews with some of the rescued women, it was revealed that they had willingly gone to the center while pregnant and intended to give up their children for adoption due to their inability to support them financially.
One of the young women tearfully expressed regret that her father was unaware of her pregnancy or her stay at the child trafficking center, revealing that her elder sister had brought her there with the support of their mother.
The Rivers State Police Command deserves commendation for their swift action in rescuing these young women and uncovering the illegal child trafficking operation.
Investigations are currently ongoing to apprehend all individuals involved in the syndicate and bring them to justice.