The wife of the Governor of Abia State, Priscilla Chidinma Otti, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the discovery of a baby factory in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.
Mrs Otti made this known on Sunday while speaking in Umuahia, the state capital.
According to the Abia First Lady, the state government is determined to protect every Abia girl-child against all forms of violence and sexual exploitation.
She expressed sadness that while the world was preparing to celebrate the 2024 edition of the International Women’s Day Celebration, some nefarious persons were busy exploiting innocent girls for selfish reasons.
“I am deeply saddened by the discovery of a baby factory in Abia State. On a day when the world celebrates the remarkable achievements of women, it is disheartening to know that a few individuals are working to undermine our efforts to showcase the positive contributions of Abia women.
“We vehemently condemn the existence of baby factories in Abia State, where young girls are exploited, forced into pregnancy, and have their babies forcefully taken from them for profit.
“This barbaric practice endangers the lives and well-being of these girls, exposing them to serious health hazards including HIV and other STDs.
“It’s evident that these nefarious individuals exploit the poor economic challenges of this vulnerable group and their lack of adequate education which exacerbates their susceptibility to manipulation.
“We are aware of the challenges confronting such vulnerable girls and young women hence our commitment to train them in skills acquisition since the inception of the present administration”.
“She assured that her office would consistently provide training opportunities for girls until they are gainfully employed and empowered to resist such temptations of giving birth for profit,” she said.
Mrs. Otti further assured the residents of her commitment to collaborating with relevant government agencies in ensuring that those sponsoring and responsible for abuse of Abia girls are held accountable.
She lamented that the perpetrators and their sponsors, rather than encouraging more investment in women, are busy putting efforts in the destruction of womanhood, culture, and our generation.
The First Lady however assured that the government will not allow criminals to undermine the collective efforts of the government to build a decent state that would explore the talents of Abia women positively.
She equally called on Abia citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police or the Gender Based Violence office at the Office of the First Lady or the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
Mrs Otti also thanked the Abia State Police Command led by the commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, for their swift response and professionalism which led to the rescue of the girls and arrest of some suspects.
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Recall that early Saturday morning, the Police, acting on intelligence, raided a building that served as a baby factory in Aba.
A few suspects were arrested while 16 pregnant girls, all of whom hail from a neighbouring state of Akwa Ibom, and eight babies were rescued.