Anambra Government Shuts Down ‘Baby Factory’, Rescues Teenage Girls and Infants
Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria – July 27, 2025 – The Anambra State Government, in a decisive operation, has dismantled a notorious baby factory operating under the guise of a hospital in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area. The illegal facility, known as Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity, located at 1 School Road near Tansian University, was sealed on Saturday, July 26, 2025, following a raid that began on Friday. The operation resulted in the rescue of five pregnant teenagers and ten others, marking a significant victory in the state’s ongoing battle against human trafficking and child exploitation.
The raid, conducted by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with security agencies and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade, followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Dr. Afam Obidike, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, addressed journalists at the site, revealing that the facility was involved in severe human rights violations, including the trafficking and exploitation of young girls aged between 15 and 21. Many of the victims were reportedly held against their will, forced into pregnancies, and had their newborns sold through illegal adoption rings.
Dr. Obidike confirmed that key staff and operators of the facility were arrested during the raid, while the alleged owner, Odili Ossai, a self-proclaimed doctor from Delta State, remains at large. Authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend him. The facility, previously shut down in February 2024, had illegally reopened, operating with a falsified license. The earlier raid in February rescued six pregnant teenagers, underscoring the persistent nature of this criminal syndicate.
“This is a major breakthrough in our fight against child trafficking, illegal medical practices, and gender-based exploitation,” Dr. Obidike declared. “The state government is committed to shutting down all illegal medical establishments and safeguarding public health.” He credited the success of the operation to the collaboration between the State Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit and the State Illegal and Anti-Quackery Taskforce Team, which have been instrumental in identifying and closing unauthorized health facilities across Anambra.
The rescued teenage girls and infants are currently receiving comprehensive medical care and psychological support under government supervision. A full-scale investigation has been launched, with the arrested suspects expected to face charges including human trafficking, unlawful detention, and child exploitation. Dr. Obidike urged the public to support the government’s efforts by reporting suspicious activities related to healthcare practices, emphasizing that “public safety and dignity will not be compromised in Anambra.”
The Acting Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, who participated in the raid, issued a stern warning to operators of unlicensed and quack facilities: “Shut down now or face the full weight of the law.” The state government has strengthened its Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit and Anti-Quackery Taskforce to continue aggressive clampdowns on unauthorized health centers.
This operation highlights the broader issue of baby factories in Nigeria, which exploit vulnerable young women and profit from the illegal sale of infants. The Anambra State government’s proactive measures reflect a strong commitment to eradicating such criminal networks and protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens.
For further updates, residents are encouraged to follow official channels and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.