Security Operatives Rescue Six Pregnant Girls From Anambra ‘Baby Factory’
- Five suspects in custody
- ‘Fake’ doctor now at large
BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with security operatives, on Wednesday rescued six pregnant teenagers from a notorious “baby factory” at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
According to reports on the development, five suspects were arrested as the alleged masterminds and operators of the ‘evil factory’.
Addressing journalists on the incident, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the the ‘Baby Factory’ goes by the name ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity’ located along the Tansian University road in Umunya.
Obidike said the State’s Health Facility, Accreditation and Monitoring Unit arrived at the facility for its routine inspection only to discover that the owners are using it as a centre where new born babies are being traded upon and sold to some compromised members of the public.
He disclosed the medical attendants working in the facility hurriedly closed shop and took off when the inspection team requested to see the doctor on duty and find out why the facility was not properly registered with the State government.
The Health Commissioner told the media thus; “Security operatives, including OCHA-Brigade, civil defence corps and the police, later assisted the monitoring team in gaining access into the facility.
“When we gained access to the facility, what we saw was shocking. We discovered six underage pregnant girls, between ages 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21 years, allegedly camped against their wishes.
“We interviewed these girls and they told us that they were being camped by one self-acclaimed doctor, who they identified as Mr Odili Ossai, from Delta State, now at large.
“They said when they deliver the babies, the operator of the facility, would sell them.”
Giving further insight on the case, Dr Obidike disclosed that; “Five persons have been arrested in connection with the ‘factory’ and the police will carry out further investigation.”
The Health Commissioner, who reaffirmed the Prof Chukwuma Soludo-led administration’s resolve to stamp out fake and quack hospitals across the state, urged members of the public to always report any illegal activity, malpractices or concerns to the relevant healthcare services for prompt action.
