Former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli, has raised concerns over what she described as a growing trend of women allegedly using steroids to simulate pregnancy before acquiring babies through illegal means in order to deceive their husbands.
Okah-Donli made the remarks while speaking on the issue of child trafficking and illegal adoption, warning that criminal networks have continued to exploit desperate couples seeking children. She said some women allegedly resort to taking steroids and other substances that alter their physical appearance, making them appear pregnant, before obtaining babies from traffickers or unregistered maternity homes.
According to her, the practice not only fuels child trafficking but also strengthens criminal syndicates involved in the illegal sale of infants across Nigeria. She stressed that many of the babies involved are victims of trafficking and should not be treated as commodities.
The former NAPTIP boss urged families struggling with infertility to seek legitimate medical care, counselling, and legal adoption processes instead of engaging in unlawful practices that endanger children and violate the law.
Okah-Donli also called for stronger collaboration between security agencies, healthcare professionals, traditional rulers, and community leaders to identify and dismantle illegal baby factories and trafficking networks operating across the country.
She noted that public awareness remains essential in combating child trafficking, adding that communities should promptly report suspicious maternity homes, orphanages, or individuals involved in the illegal sale or transfer of children.
Child rights advocates have repeatedly warned that illegal baby trafficking has devastating consequences for children and families, while undermining Nigeria’s efforts to combat human trafficking. Authorities continue to encourage citizens to follow approved adoption procedures and report suspected trafficking cases to the relevant law enforcement agencies.
Okah-Donli reaffirmed that protecting children from exploitation requires collective action and urged Nigerians not to patronise illegal adoption schemes, regardless of personal circumstances.
