About 23 illegal orphanages where babies are allegedly sold within Warri and Asaba, Delta State, has been discovered by the officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Celestina Kalu.
According to Kalu, the police raided the illegal orphanages following a tip-off, arresting 21 persons suspected to be behind the illicit business.
She added that over 40 babies who were allegedly put up for sale at various illegal orphanage homes in Asaba, Kwale and Warri were rescued.
Kalu said:
“Recently, the police uncovered a baby factory behind NTA Asaba and arrested the operators of the factory. The police also arrested other 21 persons suspected to be running illegal orphanage homes in Warri metropolis, their hideout was located at the outskirt of Warri towards Udu where the police uncovered an uncompleted buildings where the six babies were discovered.”
READ: Pregnant girls, infants rescued from child traffickers
According to Daily Post, a six-month old baby was put up for sale for N2.5m, while those between the ages of three and four years were sold for N5m.
The PPRO noted that the suspects, upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, saying they bought the babies from relations of mentally challenged persons and took them to the home where they were sold.
Kalu further added that the suspects were currently assisting the police in their investigation.