The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered an alleged child trafficking syndicate operating from a private medical facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including the hospital’s Chief Medical Director.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad of the Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), who raided Eldona Clinic in the Elekahia area of Port Harcourt on June 12, 2026, following intelligence reports linking the facility to suspected child trafficking activities.
According to police investigators, preliminary findings suggest that the clinic was allegedly being used as a conduit for the trafficking of newborn babies delivered at the facility.
Investigators alleged that some mothers were falsely informed that their babies had died shortly after birth, while the infants were allegedly taken away and sold through an organised trafficking network.
Among those arrested during the operation was the clinic’s Chief Medical Director, Elizabeth Obot, aged 66.
Police sources disclosed that the investigation took a more troubling turn after officers reportedly discovered the body of a deceased infant inside the doctor’s office during the raid.
According to investigators, the infant’s remains had allegedly been embalmed and preserved.
Authorities further alleged that the preserved body was, in some instances, shown to mothers as evidence that their newborn babies had died, thereby concealing the alleged trafficking of the infants.
Investigators also claimed that the body was occasionally rented out to other trafficking groups or to women seeking to falsely convince relatives that they had recently given birth.
The allegations have raised serious concerns among law enforcement authorities, who described the suspected operation as one of the more disturbing cases uncovered in recent years.
However, Dr. Obot has denied any involvement in child trafficking or related criminal activities.
Speaking during questioning, she maintained that her actions were motivated by efforts to assist families searching for children and denied participating in any scheme involving the sale of babies.
According to her, some mothers willingly relinquished custody of their children after delivery.
She further claimed that the babies were handed over to a woman whom she identified as a social welfare officer for appropriate care and placement.
Police authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the other suspects arrested during the operation, nor have they revealed the number of babies believed to have been trafficked through the alleged network.
Investigators are currently working to establish the full scope of the operation, identify possible accomplices and determine whether similar activities may have occurred over an extended period.
The police also indicated that efforts are underway to trace the whereabouts of children believed to have been taken from the facility and to verify the identities of individuals connected to the alleged trafficking ring.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and assured the public that all persons found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with stakeholders calling for a thorough probe into the allegations and stricter oversight of private healthcare facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
