Officials of the Abia State police command have rescued about 14 pregnant girls and ladies from an alleged illegal maternity home which was used as a baby factory at Umukpeyi village in the Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
According to the state police spokesperson, Mr. Udeviotu Onyeke, the victims were aged between 14 to 25 years old.
The supposed maternity home was owned by a “notorious child trafficking syndicate leader in the state, simply known as Madam Nma”.
Onyeke revealed that they were propelled to raid the premises following a tip off that the principal suspect and the proprietor had been keeping pregnant teenagers in the home for commercial purposes.
Upon interrogation, some of the suspects claimed they were from different states across the nation including, Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Rivers states.
The police spokesperson said, “Majority of those rescued claimed that they were brought to the home by sympathisers after they were driven away from their homes when it was discovered that they had unwanted pregnancies.”
According to Punch, 12 out of the 14 suspects were confirmed pregnant, while two said they came to check if they were pregnant.
The prime suspect was said to have escaped arrest as she was not at home during the raid, but the force has intensified efforts to apprehend her.
Onyeke pleaded with the public with any useful information on her whereabouts to be prompt in alerting the police to ensure she is nabbed and brought to book.
