NSCDC raids brothel, arrests young girls in Enugu

Hotel allegedly used as baby factory

DESPITE efforts by government and security outfits to stem the tide of “baby factories” in Enugu State, agents of the illicit business are now changing their mode of operation to evade authorities and maintain the flourishing “business.”

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, at the weekend paraded six girls with ages ranging from 15 to 24, who were arrested from two different brothels.

The girls were paraded alongside the proprietors of the brothels- Chief George Obike, owner of Star Palace Hotel on No. 4 Mission Avenue, Coal Camp Enugu and Azubuike Aneke, owner of Zubynet Hotel, 26 Okpara Avenue Enugu, who were alleged to be engaged in the illicit business.

The arrests were made through the combined efforts of NSCDC and the Enugu State Child Fostering and Adoption Committee headed by Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Enugu State Province.

The girls are Esther Ani,23, SS2 student from Agbani Enugu state, Ifeoma Agbo ,21, JSS3 student from Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State, Lovette Mbamalu ,18, SS2 student from Ifitedunu Anambra State, Ogbu Gloria
(15) SS3 student from Effium, Ebonyi State and Chinaza Okoye (18) SS3 student from Agulu, Anambra State and Aku Udeze Favour (24) SS3 student from Uzo-Uwani Enugu State.

The Guardian gathered that the girls, who are mostly school drop-outs, were alleged to have been kept in the brothels where men pay N1000 per night to sleep with them in order to impregnate them.They are allegedly held until they put to bed before gaining their freedom, after their babies have been sold out.
The girls, however, explained that they were in the brothels “for prostitution only.”
The proprietors of the brothels, Obika and Aneke, equally denied the allegation that they were engaged in baby factory business, insisting that they run the brothels as a prostitution ring where girls pay N1000 per night for lodging.

The NSCDC also paraded a woman identified as Nchechi Isioko from Mpu in Aninri Local Council of Enugu for allegedly attempting to sell her baby for N100,000.
She was said to have concluded plans to sell the baby to one Mrs Blessing Egbo before operatives of NSCDC got information and arrested both her and the suspected buyer.

The NSCDC similarly paraded pipeline vandals at the headquarters of the NSCDC in Enugu yesterday.
Speaking while parading the suspects, the Commandant of NSCDC in Enugu State, Mr. Lar Stephen Zwali, warned pipeline vandals to look for another business to do, saying his Command has intensified surveillance.

He averred that the suspects were caught at Nenwe in Aninri Local Council in the night while they were vandalising the pipelines.
The Commandant further told journalists that, though the NNPC repaired the pipelines before it commenced pumping of petroleum products to its depot in Enugu, his Command has informed the corporation of the development.

He further advised human traffickers and prostitutes to find another business, warning that his command was committed to stopping their illegal business.

The Chairman of the Committee on Child Adoption and Fostering in the state and Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Enugu State Province, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, who also spoke to reporters warned that the state would no longer be conducive for human traffickers and prostitutes.
He stated that the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has directed them to stop prostitution and illegal sale and adoption of babies.