Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has said that the state government will not tolerate any form of baby factory and human trafficking in the state.
Mrs Obaseki gave the warning while parading one of the alleged operators alongside five of her victims before journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
She said that her attention was drawn to the illegal operation at the Ikpoba Hill axis of the state and she immediately swung into action leading to the arrest of the suspect and her victims.
Mrs Obaseki maintained that it is against the law to keep pregnant young girls at home and have their babies sold off after delivery.
She said the full wrath of the law must fall squarely on the perpetrator, who has been operating illegally for two years now.
The governor’s wife added that the state government has made it easy for those interested in adopting children to do so legally and pledged that the state will not welcome the idea of cutting corners.
Speaking to Journalists during the parade, 48-year old suspect, Mrs. Jennifer Osagiede denied the allegation of running a baby factory.
She instead disclosed to being a drop out nursing school student.
One of the victims from Imo state, named Blessing, 17, said she was hypnotised and raped by a boy and out of shame, her aunty decided to send her to meet the suspect in Benin City.
The SS1 student said she met four other pregnant girls on arrival at the home.