Police Raid Alleged Baby Factory in Ekiti, Rescue Six Children, Arrest Cattle Rustler

The Ekiti State Police Command has uncovered an alleged illegal baby factory in Ikere-Ekiti, rescuing six children and arresting five suspects in the operation.

Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner of Police, Joe Eribo, said the arrests followed actionable intelligence received by the command.

According to him, the prime suspect, identified as Onyechi Oluwadare, was arrested alongside four others at a location behind a popular hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road in Ikere-Ekiti.

The other suspects were named as Onuoha Gloria, Victoria Linus, Ihegbogu Mercy, and a pregnant woman identified as Emmanuel Esther.

In a statement, the police disclosed that the operation was carried out on January 24, 2026, at about 8:30 a.m., after credible information indicated that the 43-year-old Oluwadare was allegedly operating an illegal baby factory with the support of her accomplices.

Police operatives reportedly cordoned off the premises and arrested the suspects upon arrival. A search of the facility led to the rescue of six children, estimated to be between the ages of two and nine, who were suspected to be victims of confinement and exploitation.

Items recovered from the scene included baby delivery equipment, rolls of dexamethasone tablets, and several bottles of Goya oil.

However, the prime suspect denied the allegation, telling journalists that the building was only used as a prayer centre where people gathered to seek divine intervention.

In a separate operation, the police also arrested Ibrahim Abubakar, described as a notorious cattle rustler who had allegedly been on the wanted list of security agencies in Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi states.

Investigations revealed that Abubakar had been involved in cattle rustling for several years across the three states. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to attacking cattle owners on multiple occasions and stealing their livestock.

Police said a total of 255 stolen cattle were recovered from Abubakar, while an additional 303 cattle linked to the prime suspect were also recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cattle to 558.

The police command said investigations into both cases are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.