Lagos state police have rescued over 160 teenagers and children from a “baby factory” and unregistered orphanages in Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence.
The Commissioner for Youths and Social Development in the state, Hon. Agboola Dabiri, said that some babies and children had been assaulted.
BBC reports that it is not rare for authorities in Nigeria to raid “baby factories”.
Concise News reports that the proliferation of “baby factories” in Nigeria is due to the desperate need of single mothers who have suffered neglect.
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Police in Lagos had in February told pressmen that they investigated the case of a pregnant woman who sought help from unknown people and had her child delivered at their home. After the baby was born, the people sold the child.
Baby Factories offer illegal services which include children sold for adoption, some used for child labour, child/human trafficking and ritual purposes.
They disguise as non-governmental organisation who cater for unmarried pregnant women and their children.
In some cases they rape the women in order to get them pregnant.
Dabiri said after the recent raid and arrest, 100 girls and 62 boys were found and rescued.
“The children and teenagers rescued from the ‘baby factory’ and homes were placed at government-approved homes for care and protection,” he added.
