The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant, and the parents of a newborn baby over the alleged sale of the child for N2.5 million in Lagos.
According to police sources, the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend allegedly decided not to keep the baby and sought the assistance of individuals who could facilitate the sale of the child after birth.
The couple was reportedly linked to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu through intermediaries. The expectant mother was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery, but complications during labour necessitated her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu.
At the hospital, a 31-year-old medical doctor successfully performed a Caesarean section, saving the lives of both mother and child. Investigators alleged that arrangements for the sale of the newborn 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 is currently at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
The case, involving allegations of conspiracy, child stealing, and human trafficking, is being handled by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin.
A police source disclosed that efforts to trace the buyer have so far been unsuccessful, as the address and telephone number provided were found 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 baby’s mother had initially consented to the arrangement. However, the deal reportedly collapsed after she received only N700,000 out of the agreed N2.5 million payment.
“The matter came to light when the woman raised concerns over the unpaid balance. Some non-governmental organisations later became involved and reported the case to the police, leading to the ongoing investigation,” the source said.
The police source further disclosed that the medical doctor, the baby’s parents, and the traditional birth attendant remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, police authorities said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the buyer and rescue the baby.
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