The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Monday, decried the recent surge in baby factories across the country.

Director-General of the agency, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, expressed the concern in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to Waziri-Azi, in recent times there have been alarming reports and public outcry regarding sales of babies and the existence of facilities specialising in trapping young girls and recruiting men to impregnate them.
She said that such babies were subsequently sold after delivery.
Waziri-Azi noted that the baby factories operate clandestinely, preying on the desperation and vulnerability of unsuspecting victims, often luring them with promises of financial gains or false assurances of care and support.

She said that one of the most recent incidents occurred in Umunkwa village, in Umuafai Ndume Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, where 10 victims were rescued from a baby factory.
The NAPTIP director-general said that the victims, aged between one and 24, include seven young girls, six of whom were pregnant, one lactating mother and two boys who were minors.

“The baby factory was uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS), Abia State Command,” she said.
Waziri-Azi further stated that a 63-year-old woman was apprehended as the owner of the baby factory.
She said that both the suspects and the victims had been handed over to the NAPTIP Abia State Liaison Office for further investigation and appropriate action.
“We commended the Abia State Command of DSS for the successful operation,” she said.

The director-general urged the public, particularly parents, to be vigilant and ensure that their wards do not fall victim to unscrupulous individuals.
She also enjoined communities to continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies and NAPTIP to help combat trafficking.

Waziri-Azi also called on the public to report trafficking cases to NAPTIP by promptly calling the agency toll-free number: 0703 0000 203 or short code 627 (MTN and Airtel only).