GODFREY GEORGE writes that rising poverty is exposing vulnerable girls to sexual and economic exploitation by human traffickers and operators of ‘baby factories’
Chinwendu (surname withheld) grew up with a lot of hope. But after trying out the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination four times without success at 19, she gave up her dream of becoming an engineer.
Shortly after, her mother passed. In 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic, her father took another wife, moved to a new place, and left her and her sister, Nasa, in the old apartment. He sent them money for their upkeep but stopped after a few months.
“He said we were now big girls and should be able to take care of ourselves,” Chinwe recalled.
Things became difficult for her and her sister, Nasa. Feeding was a problem, as they had to do menial jobs to survive.
After a few months, Chinwe said she learnt her father and his new wife relocated to Benin Republic.
Seeing how she suffered, she said an ‘aunt’ in her neighbourhood in Owerri, Imo State, told her of a ‘way’ to make some ‘sharp’ money.
“This lady has been our neighbour for more than I can remember. I knew her as a child. She said she wanted to help me. She didn’t give me the details of the job, but she promised me that it was something I would be able to do.
“I thought it was a housekeeping job or something like that. But, that same weekend after we had that conversation, she took me to go meet another woman. They called her Madam.
“Nobody knew her name. I met two other girls my age there and we were asked if we knew why we were there. The lady who brought me gave me a sign with her eyes to say I did even if I didn’t.
“After a few minutes, a man whom we learnt was a doctor came in and took some urine and blood samples from us and we were asked to go. That day, when I got home, I was almost forced to tell my sister, but I did not because I felt there was no need to.
“After a few weeks, Aunty came again and told me to park my things, telling me that I had passed the test and would resume work. Till that point, I didn’t know what work I was going to do,” Chinwe, now in her early 20s, told Saturday PUNCH in an audio chat facilitated by a non-governmental organisation, Saving the GirlChild Today Not Tomorrow International.
As she parked her things, Chinwe said she thought of all the things that could go wrong but was strengthened by the fact that she would be able to send money to her only sister, who was around 14 at that time.
When she got to the house in Owerri, she said she met other girls who were a bit younger and some who were much older than her.
She was asked to sign a form and get on a bus. That was all she could remember.
The next thing she recalled was that she was kept in a house with the girls where men came at intervals and slept with them.
Chinwe said she did not get pregnant after several trials and her Madam beat her up and starved her, calling her barren and threatening to make a video of her naked and post it online.
“I lost three pregnancies while I was there. I don’t like telling this story because it brings back painful memories. Until last year (2023) when the army came and rescued us, I knew no peace.
“I watched fellow ladies give birth and their babies were taken away from them. One of the girls was not even 18. She almost lost her life, but that didn’t matter to our madam. One time, a girl was sexually abused even with the pregnancy. There are things I saw there that would take me years to say.
“I thought we were still in Owerri; it was after almost four months that I overheard one of the kitchen workers giving an address and she mentioned a popular bus stop in Aba. That was how I knew we were in Abia State.
“I don’t even know how I got myself into this mess but I am glad I am out. I am still with the NGO helping me find my life back, and when I am emotionally strong enough, I intend to start a foundation against baby factories,” she said.
She added that until their rescue by men of the army in June, she thought she would never make it out at all.
Asked if she was given any financial incentives, she said some of the ladies had proper contracts and left when they fulfilled them. However, in her case, the lady who brought her to the madam took all the financial gains and left her with nothing.
Asked about the suspect’s whereabouts, she said she was now at large after she learnt of our rescue.
“I have not seen or heard from her since I left Owerri. On one occasion, she called to tell me that she was coming to see me, but I never saw her at all. I also did not have access to my phone,” she noted.
Asked if she had tried reaching her father or stepmother, she said, “I am not interested in any of those people. They left me and my sister. They thought we would die. I don’t have a father; I have accepted my fate and I will prove them both wrong.”
Chinwe is lucky the army came to her rescue in June. Many girls like her are not. Some die in the process of childbirth, some do not carry their pregnancy to full term, and some run into complications that make them ultimately damaged for life.
Luckily for Chinwe, in June 2023, troops from the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ohafia, raided a baby factory located at Umunkpeyi Nvosi in the Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
The owner of the baby factory, simply identified as Mrs Nma, on sighting the soldiers, fled the scene.
Meanwhile, 21 out of the 24 inmates in the facility were pregnant while two (a boy and a girl), were babies.
Items found in the place included a Tiger generator, a stretcher, a gas cylinder, a bag of rice, four cartons of tin tomatoes, five litres of vegetable oil, two bags of garri, and some soup ingredients.
An Army source said the raid was a sequel to an intelligence report that “the owner of the factory was selling some of these babies to criminal agents for ritual purposes, and others for child trafficking.”
Meanwhile, one Katherine Ngwanma, aged 34, one of the chefs at the facility, was arrested by the troops.
The military later handed over the pregnant women as well as the babies to the Abia State Government for further actions.
Speaking with journalists, the Village Head of Okpuala Isiala Umunkpei, Jude Ori, commended the military for the raid, saying that other security agencies had not been able to deal with the baby factory operators despite several complaints by the people.
“This is what we have been expecting to happen. We have tried everything to stop this including going to the police to help us but to no avail,” Ori said as he pledged the support of the villagers to the military.
Displeased with the development, the State Governor, Alex Otti, commended the army for the raid, vowing to prosecute the fleeing owner of the factory and her collaborators.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti said his administration would not tolerate such criminality.
He vowed to investigate and prosecute the suspects.
“The military deserves commendation for its swiftness. There is no reason this type of criminality will be happening here without connivance with some people.
“We learnt that the operator has been notorious in this illicit business, and has always bragged that she can get out of the hooks with her connections. In the past, she has been arrested by the police several times but came out in less than 24 hours.
“It isn’t very comfortable to hear such a story. You can see now that the soldiers are on the ground, and that is why her collaborators have not come here to tell stories. We commend the army for this feat.
“We need to sanitise the environment. We cannot allow this type of thing under the present administration. There will be a thorough investigation even though testimonies from many quarters say she has been notorious for this.
“She brags that she will use her contact to get out of the hooks. The government will ensure this type of thing comes to an end. These are young girls, some of them less than 16 years. Imagine the abuse and the desecration of the land.”
16 pregnant girls, eight babies
Less than a year later, ironically on the day when women all over the world celebrated International Women’s Day, no fewer than 16 pregnant ladies and eight children were rescued when the police busted a ‘baby factory’ in Aba, the commercial city of the state.
The raid, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, occurred on a Thursday night. According to police, the raid followed credible information about the unpatriotic activities going on in the building.
The police said the owner of the baby factory, 29-year-old Onyiyechi Okoro from the Arochukwu area of the state, who was among the suspects, was also found pregnant.
A man, 32-year-old Ekpene Okezie from the Ideato area of Imo State, was also said to have been arrested.
Chinaka, during a media briefing, said, “We decided to visit a four-story building with 10 flats and another adjacent building in the same compound after several complaints from residents that illegal activities may be going on there.
Otti’s wife saddened
The governor’s wife, Priscilla Otti, in a series of posts on X, a day after the incident, condemned the act, terming it as ‘barbaric’.
Commenting through her handle, @PriscillaOtti, she said, “I was deeply saddened by the recent discovery of a baby factory in Aba, where approximately 16 pregnant girls were rescued.
“It’s particularly disheartening that this occurred on International Women’s Day when we celebrate women’s invaluable contributions in Abia state. I am determined to safeguard the Abia girl-child from violence and exploitation, and I strongly condemn the heinous act of profiting from innocent girls.
“This barbaric practice endangers the lives and well-being of these girls, exposing them to serious health hazards including HIV and other STDs. Our findings indicate that unemployment, lack of education, and poverty are contributing factors to this tragedy. Rest assured, all perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
35 rescued in Anambra
Similarly, in June 2022, the police command in Anambra State said it rescued 35 girls at a baby factory allegedly being used for sundry crimes in a hotel in the state.
Of the 35 girls, four were said to be pregnant as of the time of the rescue.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, speaking at a press briefing in Onitsha on Wednesday, he said, “Following a rigorous analysis of crime trends and patterns, the command’s operatives working on information burst a hotel in Nkpor where they use children between the ages of 14 and 17 years for sex slaves, prostitution, and baby factory.”
19 pregnant girls in Ogun
In May 2019, residents of Ogun State were shocked at the discovery of a baby factory operated in a relatively busy area for years without anyone knowing.
After gathering intelligence, the police conducted a raid on the baby factory located in the Adigbe area of Abeokuta, and their discovery was mind boggling.
Nineteen pregnant girls and young women, along with four babies were rescued. The victims, aged between 15 and 28, were found in deplorable conditions, housed in cramped quarters, and subjected to exploitation.
The operators of the baby factory were arrested, including the alleged kingpin, a woman who posed as a nurse.
10 pregnant girls in Lagos
In March 2021, the police raided a baby factory located in the Ijegun area of Lagos, rescuing 10 pregnant girls and arresting several suspects, including the alleged operators of the facility.
The victims, aged between 13 and 27, were found in squalid conditions, housed in overcrowded rooms, and subjected to exploitation.
Authorities uncovered evidence of a well-organised trafficking operation, with infants being sold to buyers for sums ranging from N300,000 to N500,000 ($750 to $1,250) depending on their gender and complexion.
11 pregnant girls in C’River
In October 2016, authorities in Cross River State conducted a raid on a baby factory located in the Odukpani area. The operation resulted in the rescue of 11 pregnant girls and young women, along with several infants.
The victims, many of whom were teenagers, were found living in appalling conditions and subjected to exploitation.
The operators of the baby factory were apprehended, and investigations uncovered evidence of a sophisticated trafficking network involved in the sale of infants.
Kwara baby factory
In September 2014, security agents conducted a raid on a baby factory located in the Ilorin area of Kwara State. The operation led to the rescue of 13 pregnant girls and young women, as well as several infants. The victims, many of whom were minors, were found living in squalid conditions, and subjected to exploitation and abuse.
Law enforcement agencies arrested the operators of the baby factory, including individuals involved in trafficking infants for sale.
Investigations revealed that the facility had been operating for a considerable period, with infants sold to buyers both domestically and internationally.
Osun baby factory
In December 2013, authorities in Osun State raided a baby factory located in the Ife area. The operation resulted in the rescue of 15 pregnant girls and young women, along with several infants.
The victims, some of whom were underage, were found living in deplorable conditions, and subjected to exploitation and coercion.
Plateau baby factory
In November 2012, the police raided a baby factory located in the Jos area of Plateau State. The operation led to the rescue of 12 pregnant girls and young women, as well as several infants.
Investigations revealed that the facility had been operating for an extended period, with infants sold to buyers both within Nigeria and abroad.
Adamawa baby factory bust
In September 2015, the authorities in Adamawa State conducted a raid on a baby factory located in the Yola area.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 12 pregnant girls and young women, as well as several infants.
The operators of the baby factory were apprehended by the authorities and charged in court.
10 pregnant girls in Benue
In July 2014, the police raided a baby factory located in the Makurdi area of Benue State and rescued 10 pregnant girls and young women, as well as several infants. The operators of the baby factory, including individuals involved in trafficking infants for profit, were arrested.
A growing epidemic
The baby factory menace has become an epidemic. In the shadows of Nigeria’s bustling cities and some remote, a sinister industry that preys on the vulnerability of young women thrives.
Many researchers traced the menace to the early 2000s when news reports shed light on how several young girls were lured into the trade. Now, some of the girls, according to several reports, go into the ‘trade’ of their own volition.
Sociologists have said that this clandestine operation has become a pressing issue, stressing that it had a complex socio-economic undertone.
A sociologist, Prof Ibronke Adetanwa, said the operations of baby factories were often shrouded in secrecy and clandestine dealings.
According to her, the initial instances of baby factories were uncovered in states like Abia and Imo in southeastern Nigeria, where vulnerable young women were exploited for profit under the guise of surrogacy or adoption services.
While the exact origin of this nefarious industry remains murky, several factors have contributed to its proliferation.
Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, characterised by widespread poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and cultural norms favoring large families, has created fertile ground for the exploitation of vulnerable girls and women.
Trade network
The baby factory trade, our correspondent learnt, involves a network of individuals, each playing a distinct role in the exploitation of vulnerable women.
At the heart of this industry are the operators, often working covertly and leveraging deceitful tactics to recruit young women into their schemes.
The operators prey on the desperation of impoverished girls and women, promising financial rewards in exchange for bearing children.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that facilitators, including middlemen and traffickers, play a crucial role in sourcing vulnerable women and orchestrating their entry into the baby factory system. These intermediaries often target marginalised communities, where poverty and lack of opportunities make individuals more susceptible to exploitation.
Moreover, the demand for infants, driven by factors such as infertility, cultural preferences for male heirs, and adoption scams, fuels the perpetuation of the baby factory trade.
Research has shown that prospective adoptive parents, both within Nigeria and abroad, provide a lucrative market for trafficked infants, further incentivising the exploitation of vulnerable women.
Socio-economic disadvantage on the girl child
Adetanwa said the prevalence of baby factories in Nigeria underscored the profound socio-economic disadvantages faced by the girl child in the country. Girls and young women from impoverished backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as they lack access to education, economic opportunities, and reproductive healthcare.
“In many cases, girls lured into the baby factory trade come from impoverished rural communities, where educational opportunities are scarce and traditional gender roles perpetuate unequal power dynamics. These girls often find themselves trapped in cycles of poverty, with limited options for economic advancement beyond exploitative labour or marriage at a young age.
“Furthermore, the commodification of childbirth perpetuates harmful gender norms and reinforces the subordinate status of women in Nigerian society. Girls coerced into surrogate pregnancies are stripped of their agency and reproductive rights, further entrenching gender inequality and perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation,” she added.
United Nations’ stance
The United Nations has consistently condemned the existence of baby factories and the exploitation of women and children for child trafficking. The UN considers the practice of baby factories a grave violation of human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, and calls for concerted efforts to eradicate this egregious form of exploitation.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (also known as the Palermo Protocol), both emphasise the importance of protecting children from all forms of exploitation, including trafficking for illegal adoption or forced labor.
Additionally, various UN agencies, such as UNICEF and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, work closely with national governments and civil society organisations to raise awareness about the dangers of baby factories, provide support to victims, and strengthen legislative frameworks to combat human trafficking.
Furthermore, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), underscore the importance of addressing gender-based violence, promoting women’s rights, and strengthening legal systems to ensure accountability and access to justice for victims of exploitation.
A legal practitioner, Mrs Selena Onuoha, stated that the burgeoning baby factory industry in Nigeria represented a grave violation of human rights and underscored the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address its root causes.
“Efforts to combat this epidemic must encompass measures to tackle poverty, improve access to education and healthcare, strengthen legal frameworks to hold perpetrators accountable, and empower girls and women to assert their rights and autonomy.
“Ultimately, eradicating the baby factory trade requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the underlying socio-economic inequalities and cultural norms perpetuating the exploitation of vulnerable girls and women.
“Only through concerted efforts to promote gender equality, protect human rights, and ensure economic opportunities for all can Nigeria confront this dark chapter in its history and safeguard the rights and dignity of its citizens, particularly the girl child,” she said.
Exploitation for selfish gain
In the baby factory market in Nigeria, the exploitation of the girl child for selfish gains is a grave concern.
This exploitation typically involves coercing vulnerable young women into becoming surrogate mothers or selling their newborns for profit.
A senior psychologist at the Remz Institute, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Dr Usen Essien, identified deception and coercion as the core techniques used by the ‘madams’ to get girls to succumb to their whims.
He said, “Girls are often deceived or coerced into participating in baby factory operations under pretenses. They may be promised job opportunities, educational support, or financial assistance, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative situations.
“Pregnant girls in baby factories are treated as commodities, with their newborns sold for profit. Traffickers exploit the vulnerability of these girls to profit from the sale of infants to prospective adoptive parents or buyers.
“Some baby factories subject pregnant girls to forced labour, exploiting their vulnerability for financial gain. These girls endure harsh working conditions without proper compensation or protection.”
Another psychologist who specialises in sexually exploitative patterns and behaviors, Dr James Robson, said psychological manipulation and control were other ways young ladies were entrapped by their madams.
“Operators of baby factories exert control over the girls through psychological manipulation and intimidation, instilling fear to prevent them from seeking help or escaping.
“These exploitative practices violate the rights and dignity of the girl child and perpetuate cycles of abuse and exploitation. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, including enforcement of existing laws, increased awareness and education, and support for victims to escape from exploitative situations and rebuild their lives,” Robson added.
What the law says
Article 16 of the Nigerian Constitution unequivocally guarantees the right to dignity of the human person, affirming the inherent worth and inviolability of every individual.
It declares, “Every person shall have the right to respect for the dignity of his person,” a provision that resonates deeply in the context of combating the exploitation of the girl child in baby factories.
This constitutional mandate serves as a beacon, guiding legal practitioners, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies in their quest to safeguard the rights of vulnerable young women.
Furthermore, Section 34(1) (a) of the Constitution enshrines the right to freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, emphasising the imperative of protecting individuals from exploitation, coercion, and abuse.
It states, “No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment,” underscoring the government’s obligation to eradicate practices that undermine the dignity and well-being of its citizens.
In addition to constitutional provisions, Nigeria has enacted legislation specifically targeting the scourge of human trafficking, which encompasses the exploitative practices prevalent in the baby factory industry. The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 criminalises trafficking in persons and prescribes stringent penalties for offenders, including imprisonment and fines. Section 13 of the Act expressly prohibits the trafficking of children for purposes of exploitation, encompassing the trafficking of infants born in baby factories.
Moreover, the Child Rights Act, though not universally adopted by all states in Nigeria, provides a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of children’s rights, including measures to prevent exploitation and abuse.
Section 21 of the Act explicitly prohibits the sale, trafficking, or abduction of children, safeguarding them from the nefarious practices endemic to the baby factory industry.
Despite the existence of robust legal frameworks, the enforcement of these laws remains a significant challenge.
A legal practitioner, Mrs Tuotamuno Pepple, said there were legislative statutes and constitutional provisions that upheld justice, protected the vulnerable, and ensured the sanctity of human rights.
She said, “In Nigeria, the insidious phenomenon of baby factories, characterised by the exploitation of the girl child for selfish gain, poses a formidable challenge to the rule of law.
“Inadequate resources, corruption, and a lack of awareness among law enforcement officials often hinder efforts to combat the baby factory trade effectively. Furthermore, cultural and societal factors, such as stigmatisation of victims and reluctance to prosecute offenders, perpetuate a climate of impunity, allowing the exploitation of the girl child to persist.”
