BABY FACTORY: MOTHERS REGAIN THEIR BABIES IN ENUGU

Two single mothers who have been in prison custody for participating in the sale of their babies are now reconnected with the babies.

The event, which attracted government agencies and other organization, took place at the Enugu office of the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development.

The mothers, Chijindu Nworie and Emmanuella Nwedu who were remanded in prison custody for almost two years, said they were arrested, tried in court and charged for participating in the sale of their babies.

While narrating their ordeal, they said that it was not their intention to sell the babies.

“I was pregnant getting to seven months, I now went to Agubuchi Hospital, I tell the man after delivery that my people will now come and pay. We stayed there two weeks and police come arrested us. We went to state CID and after writing the statement, the State CID police station now read their own, that what the man is doing is that after delivery, the man will now give you money and take the child. I said no, that nobody told me (anything) like, they now take me to court, from court to prison. When I give birth to my child, I no (didn’t) even see am (the baby) for my eyes. They took me to prison.”

The Commissioner for Gender and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji and her counterpart in Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe said the release of the girls from prison custody followed the relentless efforts of the state government.

“We made arrangement for them to come and collect their babies.

“We are grateful to His Excellency, the Governor because without his ultimate intervention this happy moment wouldn’t have happened.”

The Superintendent in Charge of Gender, in Nigerian Police Force, Enugu State Command, Gloria Njoku, said that the girls were arrested at the house of one Mr. Ozo Akpudachie at Ninth Mile Corner who harboured them when they were pregnant, and wanted to sell the babies after delivery

The Chairman, Committee on Child Rights and Adoption, The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma said that the committee was committed to ensuring the wellbeing of the children.

“We are going to have an undertaking from each of their families that they are going to take care of these children.”

Various agencies and humanitarian organizations were present during the reconciliation.

CHUKWUMA EZEOGU