At about 4pm on September 19, 2019, acting on the strength of information from a reliable source, detectives from Ishiri Osun Police Station, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Chike Ibe, stormed a building at 14, Adisa Street, Ayanwale area, Ikotun, Lagos, suspected to be used for child trafficking.
Nineteen pregnant girls ages 15 to 28 were rescued.
Four kids were also rescued.
They were recovered from four different locations.
The locations were 32, Owosho Street, Governor Road, Ikotun; 29, Olugbeyohun Street, Olakunle Bus Stop Abaranja; 4/6, Anomo Street, Abaranja; and 14, Adisa Street.
The pregnant women were brought from Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia and Imo States.
Two female suspects: Happiness Ukwuoma, 40, and Sherifat Ipeya, 54, were arrested in connection with the case.
The suspects did not receive formal medical training but operate as nurses.
The suspects are natives of Imo State and Epe, Lagos State respectively.
The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the principal suspect, simply identified as Madam Oluchi from Mbano, Imo State.
She is a mother of five.
The young women were mostly abducted by the suspects for the purpose of getting them pregnant and selling the babies.
The girls were tricked with employment as domestic staff in Lagos.
The babies are sold between N300,000 and N500,000, depending on the sex.
Boys are sold for N500,000 and girls for N300,000.
The Commissioner, Lagos State Police Command, Zubairu Muazu, has visited the scene and ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.
The Command is working with other Agencies and stakeholders in rehabilitating and resettling the pregnant girls and the babies, a statement by its spokesman, Bala Elkana said, adding that investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to Court.
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