Operator of baby factory arrested in Abia

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 64-year-old man in connection with running an illegal baby factory and engaging in child trafficking in Aba, Abia State.

The suspect, identified as Mr Nnanna Michael, a native of Obinkita Arochukwu in Aba, Abia State was arrested on Saturday at Abanafo Street, Ariaria, where two women—Doris Nelson, 23, from Gombe State, and Ugochukwu Winner, 21, from Isi Nweke, Ihitte Uboma in Imo State—were rescued from Michael’s residence following a tipoff.

According to the Abia State Command of NSCDC, investigations revealed that Nelson, who gave birth on September 9, 2024, sold her baby the following day to an unidentified buyer. Winner, currently seven months pregnant, was also held under similar conditions.

Speaking at a press conference where he paraded the suspect, State Commandant Usman Alfadarai, said Michael, who is a father of four and former worker at a motherless home, confessed to the crime.

He added that Michael “admitted to harbouring pregnant women, caring for them until delivery, and then selling their babies.”

Michael disclosed that Nelson was introduced to him by a contact from Abuja named Miracle, who facilitated her relocation to Aba. After Nelson gave birth to a baby girl, Michael sold the child for N1.1 million, promising Doris N500,000, of which she had received N100,000.

Further investigation uncovered that Winner was introduced to Michael by Evangelist First Samuel, who is currently at large. The agreement involved Michael purchasing the baby after delivery and selling it to prospective buyers.

“Michael has been involved in this illicit business for an extended period, leveraging his contacts from his previous employment at a motherless home to find both buyers and sellers. He admitted to selling one baby last year and two babies this year before his arrest,” Alfadarai added.

Upon completing the investigation, the case will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for prosecution, with the court to decide further actions. Michael was found living in a rented apartment, and the landlord was unaware of his activities but cooperated with the agency.

Alfadarai stressed the NSCDC Abia State Command’s commitment to uncovering all individuals involved in the operation and continuing efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice. He also urged the public to report any suspicious activities.

Confessing the crime, Michael Nnanna, a pool agent, said, “I was keeping some girls in my house for their health and one is pregnant so that after the birth, I will sell the baby. I have regretted this as it is not a good job to do.”

Doris Nelson, 23, from Gombe State, described her situation, stating, “When I was pregnant, I went to someone who directed me to Aba,” adding that her parents are unaware of her pregnancy. Ugochukwu Winner, 21, from Isi Nweke, Ihitte Uboma, said she was connected to Michael by the mother of a classmate.