The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Imo State Command, has uncovered a suspected baby factory in Owerri West and arrested a 52-year-old woman, Tochukwu Ogaranya, along with an alleged accomplice.
During the operation, officials rescued five pregnant women aged between 25 and 33 who were found at the location.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Basil Igwebueze, revealed this while briefing journalists in Owerri on Saturday, March 14, 2026. He stated that five newborn babies were also recovered from the suspects.
Igwebueze explained that the suspects, including another alleged accomplice identified as Godwin Nnamdi, 47, were apprehended at an orphanage where they were allegedly carrying out illegal activities.
According to him, the operation began on March 14 after one of the corps officers noticed a pregnant teenager fleeing from the orphanage located in the World Bank Area.
He said: “This prompted my officers to move into action at the orphanage, arrest the owner of the orphanage and rescue the pregnant women and newborn babies,”
Igwebueze described child trafficking as “a heinous crime” and urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
He appealed to the public to always inform security agencies about unusual behaviour or activities in their communities for swift intervention.
He added: “If the residents of the state had not assisted us with the necessary information, the command would not have uncovered such a criminal act, he said.
However, the orphanage owner, Ogaranya, denied the allegations, insisting that the facility was officially registered and not involved in child trafficking.
She recounted that a 33-year-old woman identified as Chiamaka had arrived at the orphanage while pregnant after allegedly fleeing from the man responsible for her pregnancy in Abia State.
According to her, she contacted the Nigeria Police Force, who reportedly planned to accompany Chiamaka to Abia to apprehend the man involved.
She said she was later informed by her staff that Chiamaka had climbed over the compound fence and fled before being apprehended by local vigilantes.
Chiamaka, who is from Ikeduru Local Government Area, claimed that someone she could barely identify introduced her to the orphanage with the promise that she could give birth there and sell the baby.
She explained that when she could no longer endure the conditions at the orphanage, she escaped by scaling the fence and running away.
Igwebueze stated that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court for prosecution.