Anambra State’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Afam Obidike, announced the closure of an illicit maternity facility known as “Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity”, situated in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area.
In coordination with security agencies, the operation rescued multiple underage pregnant girls and infants being detained inhumanely and sold for profit.
The fraudulent facility’s proprietor, identified as Odili Ossai from Delta State, had evaded capture since a prior investigation in February 2024 highlighted his involvement in exploiting vulnerable youth.
He was arrested during the raid, conducted jointly with the OCHA Brigade (Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra).
Inside the facility, officers discovered malnourished teenage girls aged roughly 15 to 21, some of whom revealed that newborns were to be sold for as much as ₦1–1.5 million, and in rare cases up to ₦4.5 million.
One victim recounted paying ₦1.45 million after being falsely convinced of her pregnancy.
Commissioner Obidike denounced the facility’s operations, stressing Anambra’s renewed efforts to eliminate unlicensed clinics.
He warned that quack medical practitioners would face prosecution under laws empowering the State Hospital Monitoring and Accreditation Unit and associated anti-quackery task forces.
The victims are now receiving medical treatment and psychological counseling, while authorities are launching investigations into charges of human trafficking, unlawful detention, and exploitation.
Security agencies are urging residents to report suspicious health facilities to enhance public safety.
Anambra’s decisive action serves as a cautionary example for other states.
It shows the importance of institutional monitoring, community reporting, and legal prosecution to dismantle networks that commodify human life.
