The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, has shut down a baby factory operating under the name, Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of the state and rescued underage pregnant girls.
The fraudulent medical practitioner operating the clandestine baby factory was arrested during the raid carried out on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Addressing newsmen, State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed that the impostor had been declared wanted since February of the previous year, following his visit to the facility to ascertain the legitimacy of the hospital during routine inspections of both public and private healthcare establishments in the state.
“Regrettably, the aforementioned doctor eluded capture at that time; however, we have now succeeded in apprehending him with the assistance of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade),” Dr. Obidike stated.
He further articulated that the establishment of the State Hospital Monitoring and Accreditation Unit by Governor Charles Soludo’s administration has significantly contributed to the enhancement of the healthcare system throughout the state.
“The legislation that established this Unit empowers us to conduct unannounced visits to healthcare facilities, both public and private, operating within the state.
“It is disheartening to witness a fellow human being, created by God, engage in deceit and exploitation, thereby jeopardizing the lives of others.
“The plight of some of the underage pregnant girls, who appear malnourished and have reportedly suffered mistreatment at the hands of the fraudulent medical practitioner, is particularly alarming,” he said.
The Commissioner expressed his astonishment upon hearing from the pregnant girls that their infants were to be sold following delivery. They revealed that the fraudulent doctor had promised them sums ranging from 1 million to 1.5 million naira. Some women who sought the services of this impostor reported being asked to pay as much as 4.5 million naira.
“One individual confessed to having remitted 1.45 million naira, asserting that she instinctively knew she was not pregnant, yet the doctor insisted otherwise.”
The State Director Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu accompanied the Commissioner during the operation.
