Everyday it seems like one ‘baby factory’ or the other is uncovered.

One begins to wonder if this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Vanguard News reports that the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ondo State Command, discovered a ‘baby factory’ in Ilu-tuntun, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state.

You will recall that a majority of the baby factories that have been discovered are in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.

Apparently, 19 men and women who were allegedly cohabiting and producing children for the owner of the ‘factory’ were arrested in Akure.

The Comptroller of the command, Alhaji Al-Hassan Musa, told newsmen that,

“We were able to arrest these people by acting on a tip-off we got from Abuja.”

 

“A circular emanating from the headquarters informed us that an operator of a baby factory in Imo State has relocated to somewhere in Ondo State.

 

“We swung into action and our investigations led us to Ilu-tuntun where we arrested these people.

 

“Our investigations also revealed that the operator, who was said to be in connivance with a Camerounian, has another such factory in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State,” he said.

Let’s be frank with ourselves, while the operators of baby factories are acting illegally, they provide a service that a growing number of Nigerian couples need.

Countries like India have recognized this service, which is termed ‘surrogacy’. Surrogacy is a billion dollar industry. The government needs to provide a framework for services providers who can offer similar services.

Unless an alternative is provided. More baby factories will spring up in various parts of the country.