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.