Police in Ogun State have raided an alleged “baby factory” in Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children and arresting six people.
The operation was carried out on August 24, 2026, at a suspected trafficking and illegal-adoption facility in Abaren Village, Mowe, following what police described as sustained intelligence gathering.
According to Ogun State Police Command spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, officers from the Mowe Division stormed the premises at about 8 a.m. Preliminary findings indicated that alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption had been taking place there for some time.
Two Pregnant Women Rescued
Police identified the rescued women as:
- Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who was seven months pregnant.
- Ejekwa Melody, 20, who was eight months pregnant.
Officers also recovered four children—two boys and two girls—during the operation.
Six suspects were arrested. Police identified them as Florence Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and nurse Oseni Idaya.
Newborn Baby Missing
The investigation took another turn when police followed intelligence to a hospital in the Mowe area.
There, officers learned that Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, had given birth to a baby boy on August 20. Although Effiong remained at the hospital receiving treatment, police said they could not establish the whereabouts of her newborn.
The attending nurse was subsequently arrested as investigators began efforts to locate the child.
The missing newborn is now a central focus of the investigation.
Investigation Moves to State CID
Police have transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, where investigators are expected to establish how the alleged operation functioned and determine whether additional people were involved.
Authorities are also working to locate the missing baby and determine the circumstances surrounding the children and pregnant women recovered from the facility.
The arrests and rescues represent a significant development in the Ogun State Police Command’s efforts to tackle alleged human trafficking, child trading and illegal adoption.
Police Urge Residents to Speak Up
Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni praised the Mowe Division officers for the operation and reiterated the command’s commitment to confronting trafficking and other serious crimes.
He also called on residents to remain alert and report credible information about suspicious activities to law enforcement.
For investigators, the raid may be only the beginning. The next phase will focus on tracing the missing newborn, uncovering the alleged syndicate’s wider network and establishing which suspects can be held criminally responsible.