Horror in Ijegun: Lagos Police Bust Baby Factory, Rescue 10 Victims Including Children

A chilling tale of abduction, exploitation, and illegal child trafficking has rocked Lagos after the State Police Command uncovered a baby factory operating out of the Ijegun area, rescuing ten victims—including three children—and arresting three suspects believed to be behind the operation.

The breakthrough came after officers acted on a credible tip-off on Saturday, storming the residential compound allegedly used for the illicit trade. During the raid, police apprehended Mariam Vincent (35), identified as the alleged ring leader, alongside Orie Ruth (23) and Ujunwa Ifeanyi (18).

In a press briefing on Monday, Police Spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that the operation led to the rescue of seven adult women and three children—all victims believed to have been abducted from different parts of Lagos for the purpose of child trafficking and forced labor.

Among the rescued were women identified as Precious (24), Magdalene (25), Adaobi (23), Princess (22), Ifeanyi (25), and Amaka (26). The minors, who have been placed under care and protection, include Destiny (7), Miracle (5), and Success (2).

“The suspects have confessed to kidnapping the victims from various locations in the state and operating an illegal baby factory,” Hundeyin revealed.

He added that the victims are currently receiving medical and psychological support, while the suspects will face prosecution upon completion of investigations.

Police Ramp Up Crime Crackdown

The disturbing case forms part of a wider crackdown by the Lagos State Police over the past two weeks, during which 39 suspects were arrested in connection with crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, vandalism, to illegal arms possession and drug-related offenses.

In another major operation, police rescued two kidnap victims in the Ijede area of Ikorodu, following a violent night-time invasion by armed criminals on March 26.

According to Hundeyin, the kidnappers first stormed the home of 40-year-old Dare, killing his guard dog before abducting him. They then moved to a neighboring house where 25-year-old Rodiat was also taken by force.

“A distress call was received around 9 p.m.,” Hundeyin said. “Security forces worked around the clock for three days and successfully rescued the victims at 11:56 p.m. on March 29.”

The victims were safely reunited with their families, and security has since been heightened in the affected community, with surveillance and investigations ongoing.

A Wake-Up Call for Lagos

The twin incidents underscore the growing concern over organized crime and trafficking rings operating under the radar in residential communities.

Authorities have called on residents to report suspicious activities and ensure full cooperation with law enforcement, as the State Police intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations across Lagos.

“We remain committed to upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of all individuals,” Hundeyin affirmed.

TRIBALISM, Nigeria’s Greatest Nightmare: How Do We Solve This Problem?

By George Omagbemi
Sylvester

Nigeria as a nation with over 250 ethnic groups, each with its unique language, culture, and heritage. But what should be our strength has tragically become our greatest nightmare—TRIBALISM. This menace has held us back for decades, poisoning our politics, education, economy, and social harmony. If we are to survive as a nation, TRIBALISM must be confronted head-on, uprooted from our systems, and buried with no RESURRECTION.

As AY the comedian once said, “In Nigeria, we don’t just fill forms with name and age. We add tribe as if it’s a requirement for kidney transplant.” That’s how deep the problem is—we’ve institutionalized tribal identity even in spaces that should be neutral.

The Historical Roots of TRIBALISM

The origin of TRIBALISM in Nigeria can be traced to the colonial era, particularly British indirect rule. Colonial administrators divided Nigerians along ethnic lines to maintain control. Lord Lugard’s amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 was a POLITICAL MARRIAGE without LOVE. The British prioritized ethnic identity over national unity, setting the stage for post-independence rivalry.

After independence in 1960, political power became a game of ethnic arithmetic. The Hausa-Fulani dominated the North, the Yoruba the West, and the Igbo the East. The first coup in 1966 and the bloody Biafran War (1967–1970) were clear signs that ETHNIC NATIONALISM had overtaken Nigerian unity.

Let’s fast forward to 2025, and TRIBALISM has become an even more dangerous cancer, now deeply embedded in government appointments, school admissions, employment opportunities, and public policy. Instead of competing based on competence, Nigerians are reduced to their tribal labels.

The Cost of TRIBALISM

TRIBALISM is not just an emotional or ideological issue—it has very real consequences.

Political Stagnation: Nigerian elections are often not about ideologies but ethnic affiliations. Candidates exploit tribal sentiments to win votes. Buhari’s presidency (2015–2023), for instance, was widely criticized for being skewed towards the North, with key appointments dominated by Hausa-Fulani Muslims. This breeds resentment and further divides the nation.

Economic Sabotage:
When people are hired based on tribal identity instead of competence, mediocrity becomes the order of the day. According to Transparency International (2024 report), Nigeria ranks 145 out of 180 in corruption perception. This is not surprising when “my brother” is given a contract he can’t execute, while the qualified applicant is sidelined because of his *“strange”* name.

Security Breakdown:
The distrust among ethnic groups has paralyzed our security apparatus. When herders and farmers clash, or when terrorists attack villages, the response is filtered through ethnic lenses. Instead of confronting criminals, we end up defending “our people.”

Education and Employment Inequality:
The Federal Character principle, intended to promote fairness, has turned into an ethnic quota system that lowers standards and deepens division. A student from Zamfara state needs a ridiculously low score to enter Unity Schools, while one from Delta state needs nearly 100%. This is injustice disguised as inclusion.

Gordons once joked, “Na tribe dey determine who go chop the national cake. But we dey watch like say na movie. Nollywood no do reach this one!” Sadly, it’s true—TRIBALISM has turned governance into a tribal buffet.

How TRIBALISM Manifests Today
In everyday life, TRIBALISM appears in subtle and overt forms:

Job interviews where the panel whispers, “Where is he from?”

Marriages that collapse because “our daughter cannot marry an Igbo/Hausa or Yoruba man.”

Social media wars between Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa youths fighting imaginary battles.

Businesses losing clients because “we no dey patronize dem people.”

I Go Dye nailed it when he said, “In Nigeria, even poverty get tribe. Poor man go say, ‘Na because I be Tiv, dem no give me loan.’” That’s how bad it is—we tribalize suffering.

Solutions: Ending the Nightmare
Solving TRIBALISM requires deliberate, multi-pronged action. It won’t vanish overnight, but sustained effort can dismantle its grip on our nation.

1. Massive Civic Education
We must teach Nigerians from a young age that they are Nigerians first before being Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Itsekiri or Ijaw. The National Orientation Agency should be revived and empowered to promote national identity, not just on Independence Day, but every day. Curriculum in schools must include national history that emphasizes unity, diversity, and patriotism.

2. Merit-Based Governance
Appointments, scholarships, and promotions must be based on competence, not ethnicity. Nigeria needs leaders with the political will to abandon ethnic favoritism. President Bola Tinubu’s administration must lead by example. If a Tiv man is the best candidate for Chief of Army Staff, appoint him. Let results speak louder than names.

3. Inter-tribal Marriage Incentives
The government should consider giving tax reliefs or housing benefits to couples in inter-ethnic marriages. It sounds radical, but it could work. Blended families reduce ethnic hate and promote national integration. One day, your child may ask, “What’s tribe?” and that would be victory.

4. Ethnicity-Blind Technology Systems
Let’s remove ethnicity from our forms—admission, employment, census, and contracts. With technology, we can create blind recruitment systems that focus on skills, not surnames. Nigeria must build a system where origin doesn’t matter, only ability.

5. Media and Entertainment Responsibility
Celebrities and influencers must stop reinforcing tribal stereotypes. Nollywood and comedians should use their platforms to mock TRIBALISM, not promote it. Humor is a powerful tool—comedians like AY, Gordons, and I Go Dye should keep using satire to expose the absurdity of ethnic bias.

6. True Federalism
Nigeria must restructure into a true federation where regions have autonomy. This reduces the scramble for central power and allows ethnic groups to develop at their own pace without stepping on each other. Restructuring is not a threat to unity; it’s a path to sustainable peace.

7. Punish Hate Speech and Tribal Incitement
The government must prosecute those who spread hate and tribal division. Social media influencers, religious leaders, and politicians who incite ethnic hatred must face consequences. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to incite violence.

A Time to Heal.
Nigeria cannot afford another decade of tribal politics, tribal appointments, and tribal hate. If we continue on this path, the nation will implode—not because of external enemies, but because of our internal divisions.

Let us choose UNITY over DIVISION, merit over MEDIOCRITY, and PATRIOTISM over PARTISANSHIP. Let us raise a new generation of Nigerians who don’t ask, “Where are you from?” but instead, “What can you do for your country?”

As I Go Dye would say, “No be tribe go save us—na common sense, hard work, and love for country.”

Until we bury TRIBALISM, Nigeria will remain in chains.

Otunba Olufemi Okenla turns 60

 

Otunba Olufemi Okenla, chairman of HDV Group and owner of Ibis Ikeja Hotel, turned 60 today .

 

To celebrate this milestone, the lawyer-turned-entrepreneur has planned various programs for his diamond jubilee.

 

 

As part of the festivities, he will officially open a multi-million naira Entrepreneur Centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University his alma mater in Ago Iwoye on Wednesday, showcasing his commitment to community development and supporting his roots.