The Anambra State Government has dismantled a notorious baby factory syndicate allegedly faking as a hospital and maternity clinic in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
The illegal facility, operating under the name, Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity, is located at No. 1 School Road, near Tansian University.
Acting on months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, the state government, working in close collaboration with security agencies, stormed the premises with officials of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) and arrested key members of the criminal network.
The facility was found to be operating with a falsified license and was owned by a self-proclaimed medical doctor, Mr. Odili Ossai, a native of Delta State.
It was gathered that the syndicate was involved in the trafficking and exploitation of young girls, aged 15, 19, and 21. Many of the victims were reportedly held against their will and forced into pregnancies, with newborns sold into illegal adoption rings.
Several teenage girls and infants were rescued during the raid and are now receiving comprehensive medical care and psychological support.
Addressing the press, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, who led the team, described the crackdown as a significant victory in the ongoing battle against child trafficking, human rights violations, and gender-based abuse.
He emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to shutting down all illegal medical establishments and safeguarding public health.
‘This operation underscores the importance of collaboration between security agencies and health regulators,’ Dr. Obidike said, stressing the government’s determination to rid Anambra State of fake medical practitioners and criminal networks that exploited the vulnerable.
Dr. Obidike also highlighted the role of the State Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit (SHFAMU) and the State Illegal and Anti-Quackery Taskforce Team, established to identify and eliminate unauthorized health facilities across Anambra.
He urged the public to support the government’s efforts by reporting suspicious activities related to healthcare practices.
Authorities, he revealed, had launched a full-scale investigation, and suspects are expected to face charges, including human trafficking, unlawful detention, and child exploitation.
Dr. Obidike issued a stern warning to operators of unlicensed and quack facilities in the state to shut down now or face the full weight of the law. ‘We will not compromise the safety and dignity of our people,’ he reiterated.
The Acting Director, Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, among other State Health Ministry team members, joined the Commissioner in the raid.
