47-year-old woman, Evangelist Ugochi Orisakwe and four others, have been arrested for allegedly using a church, Jesus Life Assembly premises as a baby factory in Imo state.

The clergywoman was arrested alongside her gang members namely, Chidi Orisakwe, 34, Pauline Nwagbunwanne, 42, Elizabeth Uzoma, 61, Chibueze Joy, 31.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Hussaini confirmed the crime on Thursday in a release signed by the command spokesperson, Micheal Abattam.

Narrating the ugly development, the police CP said, “Sequel to credible information received on 8/9/2021 at about 08:30 hours by the Imo State Command’s tactical unit, that one Amarachi Okechukwu Dioku female age 18 years, of Umudurualaoka Uba Ifakala Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, who was earlier reported missing on 23/5/2021, by her parents, was sighted in the premises of a church located in an isolated area along MCC/Uratta Road in Owerri North LGA of Imo State.

“The Commissioner of Police, immediately dispatched the command’s Anti kidnapping unit, stormed and condoned the church, Jesus Life Assembly, located at School Garden, Uratta in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, where the prime suspect and resident Evangelist of the church, Evangelist Ugochi Orisakwe was arrested.

According to the CP, “The victim, Miss Amarachi Okechukwu Dioku, was rescued unhurt with five months old pregnancy and was immediately taken to a government hospital for treatment. She was later reunited with her parents amidst jubilation.

“On interrogation, Evangelist Ugochi Orisakwe, confessed to have been using the church as a place where young girls are kept, impregnated and after delivery, the girls are paid off and their babies sold to rich and childless clients.”

He said investigation is ongoing and efforts are on to arrest other members of the syndicate who are on the run.

CP Hussaini commended the brilliant and gallant efforts of the tactical teams and called on Imolites to be wary of churches located in isolated areas within their localities.

The Police Commissioner warned all persons or groups, who indulge in kidnapping and child-trafficking to leave the state as the Command has put in a robust strategy that will lead to their arrest forthwith.