NIGERIA (Ondo)-At least, 24 suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal establishment of a baby factory in Ilu-Titun, Okitipupa council area of Ondo State.

The illegal baby factory was uncovered by the state command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Five pregnant women, five nursing mothers, five babies, two of which are less than a month old and eight men, whose duty was to impregnate the women, were nabbed by the anti-trafficking detectives of the command.

The suspects, including the proprietress of the factory, Mrs Happiness Ogundeji, were paraded at the command’s headquarters in Akure, yesterday, by the state’s comptroller of NIS, Mr. Musa Al-Hassan, who said the suspects were arrested following a tip-off by the people.

He said the proprietress, Mrs Ogundeji had to relocate to Ondo State after she was arrested in Imo State for a similar offence.

The illegal operation was being carried out at a well-secured two-flat apartment in the town.

It was gathered that young girls between the ages of 19 and 25 were recruited into the home where some young men purposely work to impregnate them and once any of them is pregnant, she would be separated from those that were yet to be impregnated.

It was also gathered that the girls, after delivery, will be offered ridiculous amount while their babies will be taken away from them and sold to rich people in need of them depending on the sex of the baby.

Al-Hassan also revealed that the proprietress is being assisted by a Cameroonian.

While speaking to newsmen, Ogundeji denied the allegation, saying she was operating a herbal natural clinic.

Items discovered at the factory were eight luxury cars, foodstuff, baby items, among others. They have been transferred to the Headquarters of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) in Lagos after preliminary investigation by the officials of the command.