The Imo State Police Command has arrested a couple, Chukwudinma Umunnakwe and Comfort Umunnakwe, for allegedly operating a baby factory. The couple, owners of Comfort Orphanage Home in Owerri, were paraded at the police command’s headquarters on Sunday.
According to Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, the arrest on Tuesday, July 2, was based on an intelligence report received by the operatives. “The suspects have confessed to engaging in this criminal activity for over 12 years and will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation. They coerced their victims into signing documents to give away their children upon delivery for either N400,000 or N500,000 depending on the gender of the child,” Okoye stated.
One of the victims, Ijeoma, disclosed that the suspects lured them to the orphanage with promises of care but instead subjected them to inhumane treatment and threats. “I refused to sign the document and have been asking them to allow me to leave or contact my family, but they refused until now,” she said.
The police have urged residents to report any criminal activity to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines.