Six suspects, including a nurse, were arrested after an intelligence-led operation in Mowe uncovered alleged human trafficking and illegal adoption activities.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have uncovered an alleged baby factory in the Mowe area of the state, rescuing two pregnant women and four children and arresting six suspects in connection with the operation.

The police said the facility, located on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, Mowe, was uncovered following sustained intelligence gathering over suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities.

The operation was conducted at about 8am on Monday, August 24, 2026, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Among those rescued were two pregnant women identified as 23-year-old Ilesanmi Foluke, who was seven months pregnant, and 20-year-old Ejekwa Melody, who was eight months pregnant.

Four children—two boys and two girls—were also found at the facility and rescued by the police.

The command identified the six suspects arrested as Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.

Police trace another alleged victim to hospital

The investigation took a further turn when police operatives, acting on additional intelligence, visited a hospital within the Mowe axis.

At the hospital, they reportedly found another alleged victim, 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong, who had given birth to a baby boy on August 20.

Effiong was said to be receiving medical treatment at the hospital when the police arrived. However, investigators were unable to establish the whereabouts of her newborn.

The development prompted the arrest of the attending nurse, who police said was expected to assist investigators in locating the missing infant.

The command said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

Police said investigators would work to determine the full extent of the alleged syndicate's activities, locate the missing newborn and establish the roles played by the suspects.

Police vow to tackle child trafficking

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command's commitment to combating human trafficking, child trading and other forms of violent crime.

Ojajuni also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information that could help prevent trafficking and protect vulnerable women and children.

The latest operation highlights the persistent challenge posed by alleged baby factories and illegal child-trading networks in parts of the country, where vulnerable women are sometimes lured with promises of financial assistance, accommodation or other forms of support.

In April, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, also uncovered an alleged baby factory in the Okuju, Ilado area of Badagry.

The operation reportedly led to the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children, while two suspected operators of the facility were arrested.

The victims in that case were reportedly introduced to the facility through an offer advertised on Facebook.

The Ogun Police Command said its investigation into the Mowe case would continue, with further arrests possible as officers work to uncover the alleged network and account for the missing newborn.