The youngest among them is 14 years old, from Imo State
In a recent development, three pregnant girls have been successfully rescued from the clutches of suspected child traffickers in Umunze, a community nestled in the heart of Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, South-east Nigeria. The youngest among them is a mere 14 years old, hailing from Imo State.
This commendable rescue mission was orchestrated by vigilant members of the Anambra Vigilante Group, who diligently conducted a three-month investigation into the activities of the syndicate. Spearheaded by the dedicated chairperson of the council area, Neville Uchendu, the girls were handed over to Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state.
The three girls, aged between 14 and 20, were freed from the clutches of a suspected trafficker, Oruchukwu Okoroafor, who was apprehended by the vigilant operatives. Among those rescued, a 14-year-old girl hails from Arondizuogu in Imo State, the second, a 19-year-old, is from Ihite in Orumba South Council Area of Anambra State, and the third, a 20-year-old, hails from Bayelsa State in South-south Nigeria.Expressing her joy over the successful operation, Commissioner Obinabo praised the vigilante operatives for their dedication and urged others to follow their example in making the state proud.
The rescued girls have spoken out, clarifying that the suspect was not responsible for their pregnancies. Instead, he had offered them shelter until they delivered their babies and had promised to secure jobs for them afterward—an offer they had reluctantly accepted.
Upon interrogation, Mr. Okoroafor confessed to being involved in the "baby factory" and child trafficking business for the past two years. He revealed that some individuals, whose identities he did not disclose, had promised to pay the girls N300,000 each for their unborn babies. Despite his confession, he denied having any contact information for potential buyers.
In a crucial step towards justice, Commissioner Obinabo handed over the suspect to the state police for further investigations, with the assurance that he would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The term "baby factory" is used to describe facilities where traffickers hold women, often teenagers, against their will, subjecting them to rape and forced pregnancies. The newborns born within these facilities are then illegally sold, and the girls are sometimes forced into child labor and prostitution.
A recent investigation uncovered shocking revelations about a supposed Christian orphanage in Anambra State. This orphanage was found to be illegally selling babies for exorbitant sums, ranging between N1.5 million and N2 million, depending on the baby's gender. Even more alarming was the revelation of collusion between the officials of the Nigerian police and the judiciary in executing these unlawful sales.
These grave issues highlight the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat child trafficking and protect vulnerable young lives in Nigeria's South-east region.
