The Imo State Police Command, Monday, smashed another baby-making factory in Egbu, Owerri North area of the state capital, arresting the proprietor, one Dr. James Ezuma who allegedly runs a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) as a cover for the money-spinning baby factory.
The police also rescued 16 pregnant girls, including one whose two-hour old baby girl was sold without her knowledge.
Leading his Police Ambush Squad to the No. 40 Egbu Road beside Somachi Automobile Market, Owerri, where Dr. Ezuma, a native of Ndiokeke Ndiakunwanta in Arondizuogu, Ideato North LGA of Imo State, operated his NGO, ‘Women and Children Right Initiative’, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammad Katsina, also rescued a three-year-old boy who was also brought to the place alongside his pregnant mother.
The 16 pregnant girls were stuffed into two very poorly ventilated rooms that had barred windows while repulsive odour oozed out from the rooms.
Speaking with journalists after rescuing the victims, the commissioner of police said, Dr. Ezuma, ”who has been very notorious for gun-running and trafficking of human beings, was eventually apprehended at his residence by the Command Ambush Squad on Tuesday 26th November, 2013 through credible intelligence.
According to Katsina, in the course of the arrest, search was conducted in his premises purportedly registered as an office for an NGO, which turned out to be a baby factory, where teenage girls are encouraged to get pregnant and take home the sum of N100,000 at delivery, on the condition that they would abandon their babies who would be eventually used for purposes ranging from child trafficking, illegal adoption to rituals.
The police boss disclosed that the suspect had earlier been arraigned before an Owerri Chief Magistrate Court 1 on November 1, 2013, for the offence of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.
He said the pregnant girls rescued in the premises of Dr. Ezuma were aged between 14 and 19 years old, and that after further search was conducted, an automatic eight-loader pump action gun (which is prohibited) was found in his house.
The CP stated that of major concern to his command was the fact that on November 24, 2013, one of the pregnant girls, Nnachi Chinaza from Ebonyi State, gave birth to a baby girl, who was immediately snatched away from her by the said Dr. Ezuma and sold to an unknown person.
He said all efforts made by the police to find out the whereabout of the baby proved abortive, as according to him, the said suspect had persistently refused to lead the police to where he kept or sold the baby.
While he was not ruling out further investigation, Mr. Katsina said the presumption at the moment is that the said baby might have been used for ritual purposes.
He therefore warned the general public to endeavour to keep an eye on their girls so that they would not fall prey to such miscreants like Dr. Ezuma, who parades as well-meaning medical personnel.
The police boss commended the state commissioner for women Affairs for revoking the license of orphanage homes in the state and pledged to partner with her because she had started on a good note.
Speaking to Journalists, one of the victims whose child was snatched from her, Miss Chinaza Nnachi said she was directed to come to the place by an aunt after her boyfriend denied her pregnancy and abandoned her.
She said amidst tears, that though she was given N100,000 after delivery, on the promise that they would train her baby, but she never knew her baby would be sold to unknown persons even without her consent.
Also speaking, another victim, 18 year old Blessing Anyaike who came from Lagos, told journalists that she became stranded when she got pregnant, but was directed to the place with the promise that her child would be taken care of.
The suspect while speaking to journalists insisted that he was not into child trafficking, and that the child was given out for adoption on the consent of the mothers.
Also recovered from Dr. Ezuma include, 10 exotic cars comprising: 2 Jaguar cars; 3 Chrysler vehicles; 2 Lincoln models; 1 Honda jeep; 1 Nissan Quest and 1 Nissan Pathfinder Jeep.
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