THE Lagos State Police Command has apprehended 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.
News Point Nigeria reports that the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend allegedly decided not to keep the baby and subsequently sought individuals who could facilitate the sale of the child after birth. Investigators were told that the couple was linked to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu through intermediaries.
According to findings, the pregnant woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery. However, complications during labour reportedly made it necessary for her to be transferred to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where one of the principal suspects, a medical doctor, successfully carried out a Caesarean section that saved both the mother and the child.
Police sources said arrangements for the alleged sale of the newborn were concluded within the hospital premises shortly after delivery. The baby was subsequently handed over to an unidentified buyer for N2.5 million, although the alleged buyer remains at large.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Tijani, directed that the matter 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 currently 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, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin.
A police source told NAN that efforts to trace the alleged buyer had so far proved unsuccessful because the address and telephone number provided during the transaction were discovered 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 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.
Investigators believe the dispute over the unpaid balance played a key role in exposing the alleged transaction, leading to police intervention and a broader probe into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the newborn.
According to the police source, the 31-year-old medical doctor, the baby’s parents and the traditional birth attendant are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
News Point Nigeria reports that security operatives have intensified efforts to locate the alleged buyer, rescue the baby and uncover any wider network that may be connected to the suspected child trafficking operation.