Chukwudinma Umunnakwe and Comfort Umunnakwe, a couple from Imo State, have been arrested for allegedly operating a baby factory under the guise of an orphanage.

The suspects, who manage Comfort Orphanage Home in Owerri, were presented to the public at the Imo State police command headquarters on Sunday.

Henry Okoye, the spokesman for the Imo State police command, stated on Tuesday, July 2, that the arrest was made possible through an intelligence report received by the operatives.

“The suspects have confessed to being in the criminal activity for over 12 years and will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.

“The suspects coerced their victims into signing a document to give away their children upon delivery for either N400,000 or N500,000 depending on the gender of the child,”  Okoye said.

One of the victims, Ijeoma, revealed that the suspects lured them to the orphanage with promises of care, but instead subjected them to inhuman 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 till now,” she said.

The police urged residents to report any criminal activity to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines.

Tags: Imo