Security operation uncovers alleged baby-selling syndicate

For months, neighbours in parts of Cross River State believed some women were carrying pregnancies that would end in celebration. Investigators now say an alleged criminal network was instead operating a covert system built on deception, exploitation and the trafficking of babies.

The operation came to light when operatives of the Cross River State Homeland Safety and Security Agency, HSSA, dismantled what authorities described as a sophisticated "fake pregnancy" scheme in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. During the operation, security personnel rescued a newborn reportedly sold for ₦3 million.

Authorities said the arrests followed an operation led by the HSSA Akpabuyo Unit Commander, Comrade Eyo. Operatives intercepted a commercial taxi conveying the newborn along the Maternity Junction axis, a development that led to the exposure of the alleged syndicate.

The suspects arrested on Tuesday, June 24, were identified as Mary Solomon, 42; Patience Akumuruk, 46; Juliet Efut, 43; and Umoh Effiong Edet, popularly known as "Glory," who allegedly operated the delivery home.

How the alleged scheme worked

According to preliminary findings, investigators said the group operated an elaborate scheme known as "implanting," which was designed to convince families and communities that a woman had genuinely conceived and delivered a baby.

Rather than becoming pregnant, clients allegedly underwent months of coordinated deception, with physical changes induced to simulate pregnancy. At the same time, another young pregnant woman was reportedly kept out of public view until she gave birth.

Investigators said the newborn would then be handed over to the paying client, creating the appearance of a legitimate birth and deceiving those around her.

During this period, the real mother is housed secretly. When she delivers, the baby is handed over to the client for a fee, while the public believes it was a legitimate birth,

— Source familiar with the investigation

Investigators added that the rescued infant had reportedly been sold for ₦3 million, while the identity of the biological mother remains unknown.

Victims, suspects and a wider criminal network

The case has again drawn attention to illegal maternity homes and child-trafficking syndicates that exploit weak oversight, social stigma around infertility and the pressure many couples face to have children.

In another development, investigators said not everyone arrested may have knowingly taken part in the scheme. A senior official of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one of the suspects may also have been a victim.

One of the suspects who is actually a victim thought she was legitimately giving birth biologically, and she paid three million naira, not knowing it was just the usual baby scam,

— Senior official, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)

The official identified the person as Mary Solomon, suggesting that some women seeking children may themselves be deceived by criminal operators posing as fertility or maternity service providers.

Investigation shifts to NAPTIP

Authorities have transferred all four suspects to NAPTIP through the Operation Okwok office in Calabar for further investigation and possible prosecution. The transfer marks the next phase of the case as investigators try to determine the full scale of the operation.

Officials believe the arrests may represent only a small part of a larger trafficking network still under investigation.

This is a wider network. What we have uncovered so far is just one arm of it. We are working to ensure nobody involved escapes justice,

— Source familiar with the investigation

Investigators say the case remains active as efforts continue to identify other participants in the alleged racket and establish the identity of the newborn's biological mother.