NSCDC arrests 5 women for selling babies to ritualists

Clement Idoko, Abuja - 10.03.2008

THE Officers and men of Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested five women who specialised in the sale of new born babies for rituals in Abia State.

A statement issued in Abuja at the weekend by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh, said the arrest was made when its men, on a tip off, invaded an alleged illegal maternity centre at Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State which has been in existence for years.

The maternity home, according to NSCDC, was used to admit pregnant women whom after delivery are turned away for ritual purposes. The statement said “at the time of arrest, four pregnant women, one midwife and a pregnant woman who delivered and sold out her babe for ritual as it is the tradition of the maternity home, were all apprehended”.

It said the principal suspect, a doctor, now at large, was suspected to be running the illegal ritual maternity home. The NSCDC stated that the said doctor was earlier arrested at Aba while trying to escape but hoodlums falsefully rescued him and facilitate his disappearence.

“Four of the suspected hoodlums have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation alongside the other suspects and will be charged to court soon after a thorough investigation for prosecution” the statement said.