Police probe sale of newborn for N2.5m

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant and the parents of a newborn over the alleged sale of the baby for N2.5 million.

According to the police, the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend allegedly decided not to keep the child and sought individuals who could facilitate the sale of the baby after birth.

The couple was reportedly linked to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu through intermediaries.

The pregnant woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery. However, complications during labour led to her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where a medical doctor performed a successful Caesarean section.

Police investigations revealed that the arrangements for the sale of the newborn were concluded within the hospital premises shortly after delivery, and the baby was allegedly handed over to an unidentified buyer for N2.5 million.

The buyer is currently at large.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

The case, involving allegations of conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking, is being handled by the Anti-Human Trafficking/Gender Unit of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Dayo Akinbisehin.

A police source said efforts to trace the buyer had been unsuccessful because the address and telephone number provided turned out to be 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 source said.

The source added that the baby’s mother initially consented to the arrangement but later raised concerns after allegedly receiving only N700,000 out of the agreed N2.5 million.

According to the source, some non-governmental organisations became involved after the woman complained about the unpaid balance and subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to an investigation.

The police said the 31-year-old medical doctor, the baby’s parents and the traditional birth attendant remain in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the buyer and rescue the baby.