“Operation Akpakwu” the security outfit of the Cross River Government has raided a suspected baby factory operating in Anantigha, Calabar South, rescuing 24 pregnant ladies, 11 children while two suspects were arrested.
Stanley Ikpeme, a Major and Provost of the 13th Brigade, Nigeria Army, who handed over the victims and suspects on behalf of the Officer Commanding, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi on Wednesday in Calabar to officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said that the Nigeria Army would not relent in its task of ensuring that peace and security reigns in the state.
An official from NAPTIP, Oba Jacobs, who received the victims and suspects, stated that the suspects would be investigated and charged to court. He further urged the public to keep an eye on their neighbours and report suspicious activities to the agency for proper action. “As an agency, we have the mandate to arrest and prosecute. We also urge the public to assist us with useful information that would lead to the arrest of this category of people involved in this kind of racket,” he said.
He added that the agency had a facility in Calabar where suspects would be kept until proper investigations are conducted and those found wanting face the wrath of the law.
One of the suspects alleged to be the owner of the baby factory, Fidelia Daniel, denied any knowledge of the factory. A teenager who claimed to be carrying a five months pregnancy, Stella John, said she was introduced to the place by one of her friends whose name she refused to mention. John disclosed that she used to received the sum of N2,000 on weekly basis for her upkeep.
The security outfit was formed by Gov. Ben Ayade of the state to tackle all forms of illegality, especially kidnapping. (NAN)
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