The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, has sealed a residential apartment in Port Harcourt allegedly being used as an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.
The facility, located in Elelenwo area of the Rivers State capital and widely regarded as one of the high-profile health centres in the state, was shut down on 20th August 2026 following actionable intelligence.
NAPTIP said operatives from Abuja and Rivers, working with health officials, arrested the owner of the facility, the alleged facilitator in the baby-sale saga, and one other member of staff.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian national resident in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy, yet “within roughly one month allegedly took custody of three children under circumstances that have raised serious concern.”
According to NAPTIP, intelligence available to the Agency shows that approximately ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and other transactions at the maternity.
“The joint operation followed actionable intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children,” the Agency said.
The premises have been sealed to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence pending the outcome of investigations.
Investigators are now conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to: establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare status of the children; determine their biological and legal parentage; identify all persons involved in their procurement and transfer; and race the financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding the alleged procurement.
NAPTIP said it is also examining the possible role of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise.
The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed worry over what she described as the rising fraudulent activities of operators of some maternity and health centres.
“I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronize these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable,” she said.
She noted that a few months ago she had ordered improved surveillance on some suspected self-acclaimed maternities after credible intelligence indicated that many had become “fertility scam centres with an unimaginable fraud arising from child sale and trafficking.”
“We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the Law,” Bello said.
She reaffirmed that the matter remains under active investigation and that “anyone found culpable is brought to justice, while the safety and welfare of the affected children remain its foremost priority.”
NAPTIP urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, or baby-selling to its nearest zonal/state command.
