The Lagos State Police Command said it has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant and two others for conspiring to sell a newborn baby for N2.5 million.
Initially reported at the Area E Command, Festac, the case was later transferred on June 1 to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, where Anti Human Trafficking/Gender detectives are handling it under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin.
It was gathered that the 28-year-old mother of the baby and her boyfriend allegedly decided not to keep the child and subsequently sought individuals who could facilitate the sale after birth.
Consequently, the couple was reportedly linked to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu through intermediaries. It was gathered that the pregnant woman was first taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery.
However, due to complications during labour, she was referred to a private hospital operated by a medical doctor, where she underwent a successful Caesarean section.
It was further alleged that shortly after delivery, arrangements were concluded within the hospital premises for the sale of the newborn to an unidentified buyer for N2.5 million. The baby was subsequently handed over to the buyer, who remains at large.
According to a police source, efforts to trace the suspect have been unsuccessful, as the address and telephone number supplied by the alleged buyer were discovered to be false.
The information supplied by the person who took the baby turned out to be non-existent. The address could not be traced, and the phone number was incorrect,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, investigators revealed that the baby’s mother initially consented to the arrangement, but the deal reportedly fell apart after she allegedly received only N700,000 out of the agreed N2.5 million. The matter eventually came to light after the woman reportedly raised concerns over the unpaid balance.
Following that, some non-governmental organisations later got involved and reported the matter to the police, triggering an investigation. On their part, the police have identified one of the principal suspects as a 31-year-old medical doctor who had been in practice for about four years.
Another woman alleged to have facilitated the transaction, as well as the buyer of the baby, are reportedly on the run currently. Nevertheless, during a raid on a residence linked to the suspects, the police reportedly found three young girls, two of whom were pregnant, thereby raising suspicion of an organised criminal baby factory.
This led to further arrests, with several suspects now in custody while investigations continue. The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects, recover the missing baby and ensure that all those involved in the alleged trafficking network are brought to justice.
The Guardian
