Abuja. Authorities of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) in southern Abia State on Thursday confirmed the arrest of 16 pregnant inmates and the owner of a suspected "baby factory” in Umungasi area of Abia, the commercial hub of the state, following intelligence reports.Matthew Obodoechi, state director of the secret police, told reporters that a man named Ndudum Orikaram, identifed as proprietor of the "baby factory” and 16 expectant mothers, whose ages ranged between 17 and 37, were arrested on Wednesday.According to the security official, investigation revealed the arrested owner of the baby factory floated a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) called Cross Foundation International, where he keeps pregnant women."The proprietor keeps pregnant women, who upon delivery, are given a paltry sum of 50,000 naira (approximately 313 U.S dollars) and sent away, while their babies are sold to people from different parts of the country."The investigation so far conducted by our officers showed that some of the women were brought to the foundation by their relatives and friends,” Obodoechi said, adding the police got information on the case of a particular woman who secretly took her daughter to the place because she did not want her husband to know that their daughter was pregnant.The secret police director further called on the state legislature to enact a law with stiffer punishment for culprits, in order to serve as deterrent to others who still nurse an ambition to go into the illicit trade.