How NSCDC Busted Lagos Baby Factory, Rescued 18 Pregnant Women, 10 Children

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, busted an illegal baby factory in the Okuju area of Ilado, Badagry, rescuing 18 pregnant women and 10 children.

The operation, which took place between late Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday, followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by the command.

The facility was reportedly operated by two suspects, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu, who were arrested during the raid. Investigations revealed that the suspects ran a network where pregnant women were recruited and made to agree to sell their babies after delivery.

Speaking after the operation, the Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, said the victims were promised payments ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1.8 million once they gave birth, while some women allegedly brought infants to the centre for sale.

NSCDC Busted Lagos Baby Factory, Rescued 18 Pregnant Women, 10 Children

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“They were operating a baby factory where victims were made pregnant. When the babies were delivered, they were sold. The suspects enticed pregnant victims to negotiate with them, and once the babies were born, they were taken and sold while the mothers were paid off,” Keshinro said.

He added that among the rescued victims, one had suffered a miscarriage, while others were still pregnant at the time of the raid. Some children already born were also reportedly being negotiated for sale before the facility was uncovered.

Keshinro described the operation as exposing a “grievous crime against humanity,” stressing that the NSCDC remained committed to tackling human trafficking and child exploitation.

The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution, while the rescued victims were transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.

The NSCDC also said the facility would be handed over to the Lagos State Government for possible demolition as part of efforts to curb the spread of illegal baby factories in Nigeria.

The raid adds to a series of crackdowns on child trafficking syndicates across the country in recent months.

How NSCDC Busted Lagos Baby Factory, Rescued 18 Pregnant Women, 10 Children

Troops Intercept 569 Rounds of Ammunition, IED Components on Kaduna–Jos Road

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device (IED) components along the Kaduna–Jos highway, in a major security breakthrough aimed at curbing violent attacks in the region.

The operation, carried out at about 11:45am on Thursday, took place near Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok–Jos axis in Kaduna State. The troops, supported by a special forces tactical team, were conducting a routine stop-and-search when they flagged down a suspicious commercial vehicle.

According to the Nigerian Army, the vehicle—a navy-blue Opel wagon with registration number NSR 154 TA Kano—was conveying seven passengers at the time of interception.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of concealed military-grade items, including 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition and several high-velocity warheads. Troops also recovered 189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, raising further suspicion about the intended use of the materials.

In addition, security personnel found disused GSM handsets, which are believed to be components commonly adapted for remotely detonated IEDs, pointing to possible links with planned attacks or insurgent activity.

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The driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied ownership of the recovered items, claiming that the consignment was a “waybill” handed over to him by an unidentified individual. He also stated that he had no knowledge of either the sender or the intended recipient.

All occupants of the vehicle have since been taken into custody for further interrogation, while the vehicle and recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue.

Military authorities disclosed that efforts are ongoing to trace the origin of the shipment and dismantle the network behind it, noting that such interceptions are critical in preventing potential attacks and disrupting the supply chain of weapons to criminal groups.

The Kaduna–Jos corridor, linking Kaduna and Jos, has remained a strategic but vulnerable route due to recurring security threats, including banditry and insurgent activities.

Security analysts say the interception highlights the increasing use of civilian transport systems for moving illicit arms, as well as the evolving tactics of criminal elements deploying improvised explosive devices.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations and sustained patrols to secure highways and protect lives, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Troops Intercept 569 Rounds of Ammunition, IED Components on Kaduna–Jos Road

Offa Robbery: Kwara Files Fresh 20-Count Charge Against Saraki, Ahmed

The Kwara State Government has filed a 20-count criminal charge against former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and ex-governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, over alleged involvement in the 2018 Offa robbery that claimed dozens of lives.

Also listed as defendants in the suit are Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former Chief of Staff to Ahmed, and Alabi Olalekan, alongside five individuals previously convicted in connection with the deadly attack.

The charges, filed on April 9, 2026, before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, allege that the defendants conspired on April 5, 2018, in Offa to execute coordinated attacks on several commercial banks. The affected financial institutions include branches of Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank, Union Bank, and Zenith Bank, all targeted during the large-scale operation.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly provided arms, financial support, and logistics to the robbery gang, an offence punishable under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act. The government maintains that the charges are based on evidence linking the accused persons to the planning and execution of the attacks.

The Offa robbery remains one of Nigeria’s most brutal criminal incidents in recent years. On April 5, 2018, gunmen launched coordinated assaults on banks and a police station in Offa, Kwara State, killing at least 33 people, including a pregnant woman and 12 police officers, sparking nationwide outrage.

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In September 2024, a Kwara State High Court convicted five suspects—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran—for armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide. Their convictions and sentences were upheld by the Court of Appeal in January 2026, reinforcing earlier judicial findings in the case.

Following the 2018 incident, the Nigeria Police invited Saraki for questioning after allegations that the gang leader, Akinnibosun, linked members of the robbery gang to him as political associates. Authorities also claimed that the gang received vehicles and financial support through Abdulwahab.

However, during court proceedings in March 2019, Akinnibosun alleged that Abba Kyari, then a Deputy Commissioner of Police, pressured him and others to implicate Saraki and coerced confessional statements. This development introduced controversy into the case and raised questions about the credibility of earlier testimonies.

Saraki has consistently denied any involvement, describing the allegations as false, politically motivated, and lacking credible evidence. Ahmed and the other defendants are also expected to challenge the charges as the case proceeds in court.

The fresh legal action sets the stage for a high-profile trial that could reignite debate over political accountability, criminal justice, and the integrity of investigations in Nigeria. Observers say the outcome will depend largely on the prosecution’s ability to establish a clear and direct link between the accused and the convicted robbers.

Offa Robbery: Kwara Files Fresh 20-Count Charge Against Saraki, Ahmed