By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Police in Anambra State have smashed a baby factory in Nnewi run by one Gladys Nworie Ikegwuonu, an indigene of Ohaozora in Ebonyi State.

The discovery came on the heels of police investigations concerning the recent kidnap of a four-year-old pupil by two men on a motorcycle while he was on his way home from school.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Haruna Mohammed, the two suspects who were caught and beaten to stupor by a mob in the course of the kidnap were sent by Ikegwuonu, currently at large.

He said that while two suspects – Abuchi Ani, ‘M’, aged 32 years, of Ohaozora, Ebonyi State, and Emeka Ikegwuonu, 49, a native of Akabukwu, Nnewi in Anambra State – were arrested, four pregnant girls were rescued at the facility.

The statement partly reads: “It will be recalled that on 11/3/2021, there was a report at the Area Command Headquarters, Nnewi, that a four year old child of St Joseph’s School, Otolo Nnewi, was returning home from School in company of his siblings when two men on a motorcycle grabbed the child and zoomed off with him.

“However, the child was rescued by some commercial motorcyclists who pursued and eventually arrested the suspects at Akamili Community, Nnewi.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Police revealed that the suspects who were beaten to stupor by an angry mob (one of whom was confirmed dead), were sent by one Gladys Nworie Ikegwuonu, presently at large, who also operates a baby factory and a brothel by keeping young girls and getting them impregnated after which she sells the children to her waiting customers.”

CSP Mohammed gave the names of the girls as Chisom Okoye, aged 20, indigene of Mgbaneze Isu, Onicha LGA,18-year-old Chinecherem Clement, of Agbaebo Isu of Onicha LGA, Blessing Ogbonna, 21, native of Nkwagu Isu of Onicha LGA, and Blessing Njoku, aged 21, indigene of Mgbaneze Isu of Onicha LGA, all in Ebonyi State.

While saying that all the girls were residing at Cool Joint bar Nnewi, he added that the Command is intensifying efforts to arrest the principal suspect in order to bring her and other accomplices to justice.