By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos—A baby factory syndicate around the Old Bukuru Park area of Jos, the Plateau State capital, was busted, weekend, by officials of Operation Safe Haven, with eight men and some pregnant women arrested.

The Commander of the Operation, Major-General Rogers Nicholas, who paraded the suspects at the Headquarters of Sector 2, Bauchi Road, Jos, said: “The group specialises in producing babies and distributing them to other states in the country. The group was intercepted after intelligence report by the Operation Safe Haven troops.

“During the interrogation, one of the suspects said the group has a network spread across the country and they usually entice unsuspecting young ladies with mouth-watering offers and in other cases drug them with substances that lead to forced labour.

“As investigations continue into the activities of the syndicate, it is important for security outfits to extend its network to states where the babies are being sold, so as to apprehend those involved in the crime.”

One of the pregnant women said she had plans to sell her baby after delivery, adding “I have not sold any baby before. A friend told me she sold her baby and introduced me to the man.

“The man said he will take us in his car to the people and when I sell the baby, I can give him whatever amount I want from the money I would be paid.”