The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully raided a suspected baby factory in the Ushafa area of Abuja, rescuing nine pregnant girls. The agency reported that the victims were confined in a rented apartment by an unidentified suspected trafficking agent who had recruited them through an online platform.
Vincent Adekoga, NAPTIP’s spokesman, stated that the raid followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen who observed suspicious activities in the vicinity. The agency’s operatives acted swiftly on the information, leading to the rescue of the girls.
In a related case, a Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced Bishop Kenneth Duke, a prominent church founder in Abuja, to 20 years in prison without the option of a fine for raping a minor. The 52-year-old bishop was convicted for the rape of a 12-year-old girl, the daughter of a church member who had been entrusted to his family’s care.
The Bishop was arraigned in November 2023 on charges of rape and causing emotional and psychological harm to the victim. The incident occurred in March 2023 when he engaged in sexual acts with the girl without her consent, violating the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
Binta Adamu Bello, the Director of NAPTIP, praised the judiciary for the landmark judgment, emphasizing that it would deter others from committing such crimes. She condemned the heinous act, stating, “Rape is a serious crime with enduring psychological effects on the victim,” and called for collective action against such violations.
Bello expressed her relief at the sentence given to the bishop, describing it as a fitting punishment for his actions and a warning to others who might contemplate similar offenses.