Police in Ondo arrest a woman accused of running a baby trafficking operation in Ore.
Five pregnant teenagers were rescued as officers intensify efforts to dismantle the syndicate.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a woman identified as Ada Clement for allegedly running a baby-trafficking operation in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, October 26, 2025. He said five pregnant teenagers were rescued from the facility, which is now the subject of an ongoing investigation.
Ayanlade explained that law enforcement became aware of the operation on October 21, after a 17-year-old girl from Akwa Ibom State sought help at the Ore Police Division. She told officers she had been lured to Ondo under the pretense of a job opportunity, only to find herself detained in what was disguised as a clinic.
Upon arrival, she met several other young girls who were also expecting babies and allegedly being held against their will. The teenager reportedly escaped when the suspect attempted to take her for a medical check-up at another hospital in the town.
Following her report, officers from the division teamed up with the command’s Gender-Based Violence Unit to storm the location. A baby boy and five expectant teenagers were freed during the operation. One of the victims had recently delivered and is currently receiving medical care at the General Hospital in Ore, while the others remain in protective custody.
Preliminary findings suggest that newborn girls were sold for no less than ₦400,000, while baby boys were priced from ₦600,000 and above. Ayanlade stated that Clement and some of her alleged collaborators are already in custody and are said to have admitted their involvement.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, has ordered a comprehensive crackdown on the network to ensure every member of the syndicate is tracked down and charged. Meanwhile, detectives are actively searching for others believed to have escaped from the illegal operation.
Residents have praised the swift police action and called for tougher enforcement against human trafficking and exploitation of minors in the state.
