Discovery of the Syndicate in Mowe

The quiet of Abaren Village, Mowe, Ogun State, was shattered on Monday when police operatives stormed a suspected baby factory. The raid resulted in the rescue of two pregnant women and four children, uncovering what investigators described as an alleged network of human trafficking and illegal adoption.

The operation, carried out at about 8 a.m. on August 24, followed sustained intelligence gathered by operatives of the Mowe Divisional Police Headquarters. According to the Ogun State Police Command, the suspected syndicate operated from a hideout on Toluwalase Street, Abaren Village, via Gbarinmole, a suburb of Mowe. Preliminary investigations indicated that human trafficking and illegal adoption activities had allegedly been taking place at the location over time.

The raid brought to light the plight of two young women who were reportedly being kept at the facility while pregnant. They were 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 rescued during the operation.

Suspects Apprehended and Missing Newborn Concern

The development was contained in a statement signed by ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, and made available to newsmen. Six suspects were arrested during the operation: Florence Glory Ogbona, 58; Magdalene Julius, 63; Chidike Egwuonwu, 40; Onyechu Chidike, 35; Stephen Ogbona, 39; and an attending nurse, Oseni Kusamotu Idaya.

As investigators dug deeper into the alleged activities, the case took another troubling turn with the discovery of a missing newborn. Police operatives traced part of the investigation to a hospital within the Mowe axis, where another alleged victim, 26-year-old Blessing Bright Effiong, reportedly gave birth to a baby boy on August 20. While Effiong was receiving medical treatment, the whereabouts of her newborn reportedly became unknown.

This prompted the arrest of the attending nurse in a bid to locate the infant

— ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command

The missing baby has now become a central part of the investigation, with the Ogun State Police Command stating that efforts are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the infant's disappearance and determine the full extent of the alleged syndicate's operations.

State Command Vows Thorough Investigation

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation. The probe is expected to establish how long the alleged operation had been running, identify other persons who may have been involved, and determine the circumstances surrounding the children recovered from the facility. It will also focus on locating the missing newborn and establishing whether other victims or babies may have been affected.

Commenting on the operation, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Mowe Division operatives for their operational efficiency and prompt response. He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to combating human trafficking, child trading, and other forms of violent crime across the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information about suspicious activities.

The Commissioner assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led policing to protect lives and property across Ogun State. As the investigation moves to the SCID, the rescue in Abaren Village has left behind a disturbing question regarding how many vulnerable women and children could have passed through such facilities unnoticed before the police intervention.