The Police Command in Lagos State has apprehended a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant, and the parents of a newborn baby over the alleged sale of the infant. Investigations revealed that the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend agreed to sell the baby for N2.5 million but only received N700,000 from the buyer. This payment dispute led to the exposure of the secret deal.
Details of the Incident
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the parents allegedly decided not to keep the baby and sought individuals who could facilitate the sale after birth. Intermediaries reportedly connected the couple to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The pregnant woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery. However, complications during labour necessitated her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where a medical doctor performed a successful Caesarean section that saved both mother and child.
The arrangements for the sale were concluded within the hospital premises shortly after delivery, and the baby was handed over to an unidentified buyer for N2.5 million. The buyer remains at large.
Police Investigation
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani, ordered the case transferred from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. The Anti-Human Trafficking/Gender Unit of the SCID, under Deputy Commissioner of Police Dayo Akinbisehin, is handling the case involving conspiracy, child stealing, and trafficking.
A police source told NAN that efforts to trace the buyer were unsuccessful, as the address and telephone number supplied were false. “The information supplied by the person who took the baby turned out to be false. The address could not be traced, and the phone number was incorrect. The baby’s mother had initially consented to the arrangement. However, the deal went sour after she allegedly received only N700,000 out of the agreed N2.5 million payment. The matter came to light after the woman raised concerns over the unpaid balance. Some non-governmental organisations later became involved and reported the matter to the police, triggering an investigation,” the source said.
Suspects in Custody
According to the source, the 31-year-old medical doctor, the baby’s parents, and the traditional birth attendant are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the buyer and rescue the baby.
