Bathed in colourful paints and surrounded by high walls, which hid the ground floor from prying eyes, it was a testimony to the city’s struggle to catch up with others of its stature.
But the edifice came crumbling at the weekend when the state government sent a bulldozer to bring it down.
The building was allegedly used by a doctor to harbour expectant teenagers and effect the adoption of babies through illegal means.
The demolition, which lasted for more than two hours, was supervised by the Commissioner for Physical/Urban Planning, Elder Godwin Nna and a combined team of security agents.
It was gathered that the suspect, an indigene of Ndiokeke Ndiakunwata in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, had been arrested many times by security agents following his illegal adoption business.
A doctor, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that “after reported cases of the doctor’s illegal activities, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state took the matter to the national body and he was cautioned against using his hospital to run the ‘baby factory.’
“When he persisted, NMA withdrew his licence. It was after this that he went into running a non-governmental organisation, Women and Children’s Right Initiative, where he continued his illegal trafficking in human beings.”
A police source said the suspect after being declared wanted by security operatives, went into hiding. He was apprehended last week in Egbu, near Owerri, by security operatives.
Nna said the government demolished the ‘baby factory’ in accordance with the state’s law against child trafficking and kidnapping, adding that a similar exercise was carried out in Afara-Ibeku, Umuahia.
The commissioner said besides being used as a ‘baby factory’, the building violated the approved plan.
Source: The Nation
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