Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, have sealed a maternity facility in Port Harcourt over alleged involvement in the illegal procurement and sale of babies.

The operation, which followed actionable intelligence on a suspected child-trafficking syndicate, led to the arrest of the facility’s owner, an alleged facilitator of the baby-sale operation and another staff member.

The facility, located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, is reportedly a high-profile health centre in Rivers State but was allegedly being operated from a residential apartment as an illegal maternity facility.

In a statement, NAPTIP said preliminary investigations indicated that a Liberian national residing in Belgium arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within about one month under circumstances that raised serious concerns.

The agency said intelligence available to investigators suggested that approximately ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children and activities involving staff of the facility.

Acting on the intelligence, NAPTIP operatives from Abuja and Rivers State, alongside officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, conducted a coordinated operation at the facility and sealed the premises to preserve the scene and safeguard potential evidence.

The agency said investigators are conducting forensic and documentary inquiries to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare of the children, determine their biological and legal parentage, and identify all individuals involved in their alleged procurement and transfer.

Authorities are also tracing financial transactions linked to the suspected operation and investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged procurement of the children.

NAPTIP added that it is examining the possible involvement of medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal enterprise.

The agency said investigations are ongoing.