Civil Defence Smashes ‘Illegal Maternity’ in Abia, Rescues 32 Pregnant Teenagers
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps,
NCSDC in Abia State on Wednesday said it successfully rescued 32 pregnant
teenagers from an illegal maternity home specializing in the sale of unwanted
babies.
The state
NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Victor Ogbonna, said the maternity located at Umuzuo Village in
Osisioma Local Government Area of the state, usually harboured young women who
carry unwanted pregnancies till they are delivered; and the babies sold to
interested buyers.
Mr.
Ogbonna, who presented the pregnant teenagers rescued last Tuesday from the
home to reporters in Umuahia, said the proprietress of the illegal centre,
Nnenna Mba, was arrested along with two men, Mba Agbai and Chinwoke Mba, who
were accused of aiding and abetting the illegal baby trade.
The
spokesman said that investigations revealed that the victims were enticed with
pecuniary rewards of about N100, 000 for a baby boy, while a baby girl goes for
N80, 000.
The price
tag, it was gathered, could be as high as N450, 000 for baby boy and N400, 000
for a girl, depending on the financial capacity of the customer.
Mr. Ogbonna
said the rescue of the victims and arrest of the perpetrators were effected
when the teenagers and the owner of the home were around. He added that further
investigations by the Corps revealed that the owner of the maternity home has
been involved in the illegal business for some time.
Mr. Ogbonna
said the NSCDC discovered that the home was established in 2009, but did not
get official registration with the state government until last December.
“In spite
of the home being registered with the government, investigations by our men
revealed that the owner was hiding under that to perpetrate the evil trade,’’
he said.
The
proprietress of the home, who denied that they enticed their victims into selling
their babies, said the centre was officially registered with the state Ministry
of Women Affairs and Social Development to assist pregnant teenagers who needed
support to take care of their delicate condition.
Mr. Ogbonna
said that the relatives of the victims have been contacted to reunite them with
their families.
Chinwoke
Mba, one of the suspects, claimed he was a member of the Abia State Vigilance
Service, deployed officially to the centre, adding that the NSCDC officials
overpowered him before his arrest.
The
Commander-General, Abia State Vigilance Service, Martins Idika, told reporters
that one of its workers from the unit command at Osisioma on duty was
reportedly arrested by officials of NSCDC on April 3.
Mr. Idika
said the matter would be adequately investigated.
