NAPTIP shuts maternity facility in Port Harcourt over alleged baby sale, child trafficking

Friday, August 21, 2026 - Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, have sealed up a residential apartment suspected of being converted into an illegal maternity facility by a child-trafficking syndicate.

The joint operation, which led to the arrest of the owner of the facility, the facilitator in the alleged baby sale saga, and one other member of staff of the maternity, followed actionable intelligence on a criminal network allegedly involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children.

The Hospital is located in the Elelenwo area of the Rivers State Capital, Porthacourt, and is widely regarded as one of the high-profile health Centres in the oil-rich State.

The agency in a statement released said preliminary investigation indicates that a Liberian national who resides in Belgium arrived in Nigeria with no evidence of pregnancy, yet within roughly one month allegedly took custody of three children under circumstances that have raised serious concern. Intelligence available to the Agency indicates that approximately N13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and other members of staff of the maternity.

‘’Acting on this intelligence, NAPTIP operatives (Abuja and Rivers State) and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health carried out a coordinated operation at the suspected facility, sealing the premises to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence pending the outcome of investigations.

Investigators are now conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare status of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage, identify all persons involved in their procurement and transfer; and trace the financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding their alleged procurement.

The Agency says it is also examining the possible role of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise.