NAPTIP Rescues 9 Pregnant Girls In Abuja Suspected Baby Factory
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully raided a suspected baby factory in Ushafa, a suburb of Abuja, rescuing nine pregnant girls. The operation, carried out on Wednesday, followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen who observed suspicious activity and movements around the area.
According to NAPTIP spokesperson Vincent Adekoga, the victims, who were reportedly recruited through an online platform, were confined in a rented apartment within a sprawling estate. The suspected trafficking agent responsible for their recruitment remains unidentified.
NAPTIP’s operatives acted swiftly following the intelligence received and stormed the premises, freeing the girls, who are believed to have been exploited for trafficking purposes. Efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of the alleged crime.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting at Gudu has sentenced Bishop Kenneth Duke, a prominent church founder and bishop in Abuja, to 20 years imprisonment without the option of a fine. The conviction comes after Duke was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl, the daughter of one of his church members, who had been entrusted into his care.
The 52-year-old bishop was convicted for the rape and the emotional and psychological abuse he inflicted on the victim in March 2023. The crime, which occurred at his residence in Dakwa, Abuja, was discovered after the victim’s family pressed charges against him.
In her statement, NAPTIP Director, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, noting that it serves as a deterrent to others. She emphasized that rape is a grave crime with long-lasting psychological effects on the victims and urged society to stand against such atrocities.
“This is painful and criminal,” Bello said. “I am relieved that the Judiciary has served the convict the commensurate punishment for his actions. This is a warning to others.” She also reiterated that NAPTIP would continue to pursue justice, regardless of the perpetrator’s status, and called for continued efforts to protect children and eliminate violence against persons.
