The Ekiti State Police Command has uncovered an alleged illegal baby factory operating in Ikere Local Government Area of the state, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Joe Eribo, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti. He said the discovery followed a credible tip-off received by the command on January 24, 2026, about suspicious activities at a building located behind a popular hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti.
Acting on the information, police operatives moved to the location, cordoned off the premises and arrested the alleged operator of the facility, a 43-year-old woman identified as Onyechi Oluwadare.
Four other suspects were also arrested during the operation. They were identified as Gloria Onuoha (28), Victoria Linus (25), Mercy Ihegbogu (21) and Emmanuel Esther (23), who was said to be heavily pregnant at the time.
A search of the premises led to the rescue of six children aged between two and nine years, who were suspected to be held under bondage and subjected to exploitation.
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Items recovered from the scene included baby delivery materials, rolls of dexamethasone tablets and bottles of Goya oil, believed to have been used in the alleged illegal operation.
The police commissioner said the rescued children have been placed under protective custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine their identities and the circumstances surrounding their presence at the facility.
However, the prime suspect denied the allegations, claiming the premises was used solely as a prayer centre where she prayed for people seeking divine intervention.
The Ekiti State Police Command assured members of the public that all suspects would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court if found culpable, reiterating its commitment to tackling child trafficking and related crimes across the state.