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| Former NAPTIP Director-General Julie Okah-Donli |
Former NAPTIP Director-General
Julie Okah-Donli has alleged that some women in Nigeria use steroids to mimic
pregnancy symptoms and later obtain trafficked babies to deceive their husbands
into believing they gave birth. She warns that this practice is linked to baby
trafficking syndicates and calls for maternity tests alongside paternity tests
to expose such fraud.
Background of
the Allegations
Julie
Okah-Donli, who once headed the National Agency for the Prohibition of
Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), made these claims in a resurfaced interview on
the Kaa Truths Podcast. Her revelations have sparked widespread debate
in Nigeria, drawing attention to the intersection of family deception, child
trafficking, and fraudulent medical practices.
The Alleged
Method of Deception
According
to Okah-Donli, the scheme begins with steroid injections that cause
physical changes resembling pregnancy. These include:
- Bloated faces and enlarged
abdomens,
giving the outward appearance of pregnancy.
- Mimicked symptoms such as morning sickness,
vomiting, and excessive salivation, often performed when husbands are
present to reinforce the illusion.
When the
supposed delivery date arrives, women allegedly ensure their husbands are
absent, either by sending them on errands or waiting until they travel, before
returning home with a baby obtained through trafficking networks.
Extreme
Measures
Okah-Donli
further alleged that some women undergo fake surgical procedures to
simulate caesarean sections. In these cases, incisions are made and stitched
back to create scars, convincing husbands and relatives that childbirth
occurred.
In some instances, women reportedly claim to have delivered twins or triplets, which allows them to acquire multiple babies at once from trafficking rings.
Connection to
Baby Trafficking
The
former NAPTIP DG linked these practices to illegal baby factories and
trafficking networks operating in Nigeria. She emphasized that the
deception is not merely a domestic issue but part of a broader criminal
enterprise that exploits vulnerable women and children.
Implications
for Paternity and Maternity Testing
Okah-Donli
highlighted that many men discover through paternity tests that children
are not biologically theirs. However, she argues that maternity tests
should also be conducted in suspicious cases. This would reveal whether the
supposed mother actually gave birth, thereby exposing cases where babies were purchased
or trafficked.
Public
Reaction
The
revelations have triggered shock and outrage across Nigerian society.
Social media discussions reflect disbelief at the extent of the alleged
deception, particularly the claim that women undergo surgical procedures to
fake childbirth. The story has reignited debates about child trafficking,
family trust, and the need for stronger investigative measures.
Conclusion
Julie
Okah-Donli’s allegations shed light on a disturbing practice that combines medical
fraud, deception within families, and organized child trafficking. While
the claims have not been backed by statistical data, they underscore the urgent
need for maternity testing, stronger anti-trafficking enforcement, and
public awareness campaigns to protect families and children from
exploitation.
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