The capital of the country, Abuja, has seen the rescue of nine pregnant women from a baby factory.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced on Thursday that its officials had rescued the victims.
The baby factory is located on one of the expansive estates in the Ushafa neighborhood of the Federal Capital Territory, according to a statement from NAPTIP spokesperson Vincent Adekoye.

Adekoye claims that the institution was raided after a concerned individual provided a tip.
According to the statement, "a suspected trafficking agent who has not yet been identified locked up the victims in a rented apartment inside the estate after recruiting them through an online platform."

In the meantime, a well-known Abuja bishop who sexually assaulted a member's daughter in March 2023 was found guilty and sentenced by NAPTIP.
He said that the rapist bishop was given a 20-year prison sentence without the possibility of a fine by a Federal High Court in Gudu, which was presided over by Justice Adebiyi Osolo.
Kenneth Duke, a 52-year-old bishop, is credited with founding a well-known church on the Dantata Zuba Expressway.

In order for his wife to enroll the 12-year-old victim in a skills-acquisition program, he raped her on March 6, one day after she had arrived at his house.

"NAPTIP brought the 52-year-old inmate, a native of Cross River State, to court for raping a 12-year-old girl (name withheld), who was his church member's daughter and was placed in his family's custody.""The defendant was arraigned before Court 16 on 02/11/2023 on a two-count charge for the offense of rape and intentionally causing emotional and psychological abuse on the victim in case no: CR/702/2023 Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Bishop Kenneth Duke," Adekoya said.
According to Adekoya, Binta Adamu-Bello, the Director-General of NAPTIP, praised the judiciary for the historic ruling.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed that the death toll from the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 86.

In a press statement, NSEMA Director General Abdullahi Baba-Arah revealed that the remains of the victims were recovered and buried through a collaborative effort involving NSEMA, Gurara Local Government authorities, and local volunteers.

Of the deceased, 80 were laid to rest in a mass grave located at the Dikko Primary Healthcare (PHC) premises. Five others were handed over to their families for private burials within the community, while one victim succumbed to injuries at the Dikko PHC.

The mass burial, which began at 5 p.m. and concluded at midnight, was carried out by dedicated volunteers and officials who worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to ensure the dignified handling of the victims.

The number of injured individuals has climbed to 55, with one additional fatality recorded at the healthcare facility. NSEMA, in collaboration with other agencies, continues to provide support to the injured and their families while managing the disaster’s aftermath.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and public awareness to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing, with further updates expected as recovery efforts continue.

In response to the tragedy, the Niger State Government has issued directives to improve traffic management and enhance safety in the affected area. Governor Umaru Bago, during a visit to the explosion site, directed that vehicles coming from the Maje axis should no longer pass through the Dikko Bridge. Instead, they must use the underpass and make appropriate U-turns.

The Governor expressed concern over the reckless behavior of some drivers and called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the new traffic directive. He also urged transport unions to cooperate with the authorities to ensure compliance.

Governor Bago described the explosion as a “pathetic and tragic” event but expressed gratitude that the disaster did not spread to nearby communities. He appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the completion of the Minna-Suleja Road, citing its delayed construction as a contributing factor to the frequent loss of lives in the region.

The Governor commended the efforts of NSEMA, the fire service, and other agencies involved in the evacuation and support of victims. He also announced plans to redeploy doctors from Minna hospitals to assist in treating injured victims at the Suleja General Hospital.

This devastating incident serves as a grim reminder of the critical need for improved safety protocols and infrastructure development to prevent future tragedies.