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NAPTIP decries recent surge in baby factories across Nigeria
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Monday, decried the recent surge in baby factories across the country.
Director-General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, expressed the concern in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
According to Waziri-Azi, in recent times, there have been alarming reports and public outcry regarding sales of babies and the existence of facilities specialising in trapping young girls and recruiting men to impregnate them.
She said that such babies were subsequently sold after delivery.
Waziri-Azi noted that the baby factories operate clandestinely, preying on the desperation and vulnerability of unsuspecting victims, often luring them with promises of financial gains or false assurances of care and support.
She said that one of the most recent incidents occurred in Umunkwa village, in Umuafai Ndume Ibeku area, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia where 10 victims were rescued from a baby factory.
The NAPTIP director-general said that the victims, aged between one and 24, including seven young girls, six of whom were pregnant, one lactating mother and two boys who were minors.
“The baby factory was uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS), Abia State Command,” she said.
Waziri-Azi further stated that a 63-year-old woman was apprehended as the owner of the baby factory.
She said that both the suspects and the victims had been handed over to the NAPTIP Abia State Liaison Office for further investigation and appropriate action.
“We commended the Abia State Command of DSS for the successful operation,” she said.
The director-general urged the public, particularly parents, to be vigilant and ensure that their wards did not fall victim to unscrupulous individuals.
She also enjoined communities to continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies and NAPTIP to help combat trafficking.
Waziri-Azi also called on the public to report trafficking cases to NAPTIP by promptly calling the agency toll-free number: 0703 0000 203 or short code 627 (MTN and Airtel only). (NAN)
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…