The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a suspected illegal maternity facility in Rivers State over alleged involvement in child trafficking and arrested three people in connection with the investigation. The operation was carried out by NAPTIP operatives in collaboration with officials of the……
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a suspected illegal maternity facility in Rivers State over alleged involvement in child trafficking and arrested three people in connection with the investigation.
The operation was carried out by NAPTIP operatives in collaboration with officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health following intelligence on a suspected criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children.
The facility, located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, was allegedly operating from a residential apartment and was described by the agency as one of the high-profile health centres in the state.
According to a statement on Thursday, August 20, by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, those arrested include the owner of the facility, an alleged facilitator in the suspected baby sale and another staff member.
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The agency said the operation was linked to a case involving a Liberian national resident in Belgium who allegedly arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but took custody of three children within about a month.
Preliminary investigations, according to NAPTIP, indicate that about N13.5 million was allegedly exchanged in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff at the facility.
The agency said investigators were conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare of the children, as well as determine their biological and legal parentage.
Investigators are also working to identify all individuals involved in the alleged procurement and transfer of the children and trace financial transactions linked to the case.
NAPTIP said it was further examining the possible involvement of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal operation.
The latest operation followed an earlier directive by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, for increased surveillance of suspected self-acclaimed maternity facilities across the country.
The agency said intelligence had indicated that some of the facilities were allegedly being used as fertility scam centres and for child sale and trafficking.
Commenting on the development, Bello expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some maternity and healthcare facilities in illegal adoption, child sale and trafficking.
“I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronize these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable,” she said.
The NAPTIP boss said the agency had widened its investigation to identify everyone connected to the case.
“We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the Law,” Bello stated.
She, however, stressed that the investigation remained ongoing and that suspects would be subjected to due process.
“I wish to reaffirm that the matter remains under active investigation and that all persons found connected to it will be subjected to due process under the law,” she said.
Bello assured that NAPTIP would ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice, while prioritising the safety and welfare of the affected children.
She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and other forms of exploitation to NAPTIP through its zonal or state commands.
