Police Arrest Doctor, Parents, Birth Attendant Over Alleged Sale of Newborn for N2.5 Million

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.

The suspects are currently under investigation for alleged conspiracy, child stealing and human trafficking, while efforts are ongoing to track down the buyer, who remains at large.

Police sources disclosed that the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend allegedly decided before the birth that they would not keep the child and subsequently sought individuals who could facilitate the sale of the baby.

According to investigators, the couple was connected to a prospective buyer in the Ikorodu area of Lagos through intermediaries.

The pregnant woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery. However, complications during labour reportedly necessitated her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where a medical doctor performed a Caesarean section that saved both mother and child.

Investigators alleged that arrangements for the sale of the baby were finalized shortly after delivery within the hospital premises.

The newborn was subsequently handed over to an unidentified buyer for the sum of N2.5 million.

The matter came to the attention of authorities after disagreements reportedly arose over the sharing of the proceeds from the transaction.

A police source revealed that although the baby’s mother had initially agreed to the arrangement, she later complained after receiving only N700,000 out of the agreed N2.5 million payment.

“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 source said.

According to the source, non-governmental organisations became involved after the dispute emerged and subsequently alerted law enforcement authorities, leading to the investigation and arrests.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Tijani, has directed that the matter be transferred from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.

The case is currently 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.

Police investigators said attempts to locate the buyer have so far proved unsuccessful after the address and telephone number provided during the transaction 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 source added.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to recover the child and identify all individuals connected to the alleged trafficking network.

The police assured that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law as investigations continue.