ABEOKUTA – The Police in Ogun State said it had rescued five babies and three pregnant women from “a baby-making factory’’ in Adigbe area of Abeokuta.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said this at a news conference in Abeokuta on Thursday.
He added that two people had also been arrested in connection with the `factory’ inside a duplex at Akinremi Estate in Adigbe.
The PPRO explained that the residents of the community, who uncovered the factory, informed the police in the early hours of Thursday.
He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for thorough investigation.
Some residents in the area, however, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the building was `rituals den.’
One of the residents said “a victim had escaped from the building at about 8 a.m. on Thursday. She ran into a nearby building and pleaded with the occupants to save her from assailants.
“The pregnant woman alleged that she was sold to the ritualists for N100,000.’’
“The ritualists informed me that I could only be released after delivery since my sister had been paid.’’
The resident said the shocking revelations made the occupants to inform the police, who later raided the premises.
The resident added that the news soon went round the community.
“Youths, suspected to be students of Moshood Abiola Polythecnic, invaded the building where they carried out a thorough search of the rooms.
“The youths were said to have discovered ritual items in the rooms, including basins full of fresh blood, coffin, effigy, scorpion and assorted charms.
“They also discovered international passport, identity cards of junior and senior secondary school students of Sacred Heart Catholic College, Oke-Ilewo.
“Several white garments were also recovered from the building.’’
The resident said the irate youths set the building and the two vehicles inside it ablaze.
“The timely arrival of state Fire Service officials prevented the building from being razed.’’ (NAN)
