{
  "id": 2153535,
  "title": "NAPTIP seals illegal maternity facility in Rivers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/naptip-seals-illegal-maternity-facility-in-rivers-2153535",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T14:40:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/naptip-seals-illegal-maternity-facility-in-rivers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed an apartment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, suspected to be an illegal maternity facility run by a child-trafficking syndicate. The operation, which involved NAPTIP operatives and officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Health, led to the arrest of the facility owner, a facilitator, and another staff member. According to NAPTIP, the arrest followed intelligence about a criminal network involved in the procurement, sale, and unlawful transfer of children. The sealed apartment, located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, is one of the high-profile health centers in the oil-rich state. The Liberian national who allegedly took custody of three children resides in Belgium. Intelligence revealed that the transfer of the children led to a transaction worth ₦13.5 million. NAPTIP is conducting investigations to determine the identities, whereabouts, and welfare status of the children, as well as identify all persons involved in the alleged criminal enterprise. The agency's Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the involvement of foreign nationals in the 'baby factory' syndicate, assuring that all perpetrators will be held accountable.",
  "summary": "NAPTIP seals an illegal maternity facility in Rivers State, arresting a child-trafficking syndicate involved in the sale and unlawful transfer of children. Read More: https://punchng.com/naptip-seals-illegal-maternity-facility-in-rivers/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "NAPTIP arrests three over alleged sale of babies in Rivers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/naptip-arrests-three-over-alleged-sale-of-babies-in-rivers",
        "published": "2026-08-20T14:19:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "NAPTIP seals illegal maternity facility in Rivers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/naptip-seals-illegal-maternity-facility-in-rivers",
        "published": "2026-08-20T14:26:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}