Anambra raids baby factory disguised as hospital, rescues teen victims

The Anambra State Government, in a renewed crackdown on child trafficking and illegal medical practices, has conducted a fresh raid on a notorious baby-making factory previously shut down in February 2024.

The facility, operating under the guise of Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area, was again targeted following months of surveillance and intelligence-gathering.

Speaking to journalists after the raid on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, revealed that the operation was carried out in collaboration with security agencies and personnel from Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade).

The facility was linked to Odili Ossai, a self-proclaimed doctor from Delta State, who had previously escaped arrest during the initial February raid.

That earlier raid led to the rescue of at least six pregnant teenagers and exposed the facility as a front for human trafficking and illegal child adoption operations.

“The so-called hospital was found to be operating with a falsified license and without any form of professional accreditation. The premises were being used for the trafficking and exploitation of girls as young as 15,” Dr. Obidike disclosed.

According to the commissioner, several girls aged 15, 19, and 21 were being held against their will and forced into pregnancies, with newborn babies sold off to illegal adoption networks.

During the latest operation, more victims — both young women and infants — were rescued and are now receiving medical attention and psychological support.

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Key members of the criminal syndicate were arrested at the scene, and authorities have commenced full investigations into the network’s operations.

The suspects are expected to be charged with multiple offences, including human trafficking, illegal detention, and child exploitation.

Dr. Obidike hailed the raid as a major victory in the state’s ongoing efforts to root out illegal healthcare facilities and end gender-based violence and child abuse.

“This is part of our broader campaign to clamp down on quack clinics and protect public health,” he said, adding that Anambra has scaled up operations of the Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit as well as the Anti-Quackery Taskforce to shut down unlicensed medical centres.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious healthcare operations, stressing that the government would not tolerate threats to public safety, especially when it involves the exploitation of vulnerable groups.

“We will continue to pursue justice and ensure that no illegal medical operation thrives in Anambra. The protection of human dignity is non-negotiable,” Dr. Obidike affirmed.