Man Arrested in Lagos for Selling Sister's One-Month-Old Baby for N2 Million
The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a 30-year-old man for allegedly selling his younger sister's one-month-old baby for the sum of N2 million. The suspect, a resident of Igbogbo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, confessed to the crime, attributing his actions to severe poverty and the urgent need to fund their mother's burial.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, the baby's mother reported the incident to the authorities, which led to the swift arrest of the suspect. The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti for a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
In an interview with NAN on Friday, March 6, 2026, the suspect admitted to the act, stating that hardship drove him to commit the crime. He claimed that his sister initially agreed to the idea, but later recanted, alleging that he used charms to persuade her.
How the Transaction Unfolded
The suspect revealed that he connected with the buyer, a woman seeking a child, through Facebook. After negotiations, she instructed him to bring the baby to Mile 2 in Lagos. Accompanied by his sister, he went to the location, where a man acting on behalf of the buyer collected the infant. Subsequently, the woman transferred N2 million to the suspect's bank account.
Out of the proceeds, the suspect gave his sister N500,000 and used the remaining N1.5 million to organize their mother's burial. However, after the burial, his sister demanded the return of her baby and reported him to the police, leading to his arrest. The suspect asserted that he did not know the buyer personally and had no information about her address, noting that her phone number had been unreachable since the transaction.
Ongoing Police Actions and Legal Proceedings
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin, confirmed to NAN that investigations into the case are actively ongoing. He emphasized that upon completion of the investigations, the suspect will be formally charged to court to face justice for his alleged involvement in baby trafficking.
This incident highlights the severe socio-economic challenges in Nigeria, where poverty can drive individuals to desperate measures, including illegal activities like child trafficking. The Lagos State Police Command remains vigilant in combating such crimes to protect vulnerable citizens and uphold the law.
