Lagos State Police Command has arrested four persons, including 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.
Police sources said the suspects were arrested following investigations into allegations of conspiracy, child stealing and human trafficking.
According to the sources, the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend allegedly decided before the child’s birth that they would not keep the baby and subsequently sought individuals who could facilitate the sale.
The couple was reportedly linked to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu through intermediaries.
Investigations revealed that the pregnant woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery.
However, complications during labour allegedly necessitated her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where a medical doctor successfully carried out a Caesarean section.
Police sources said arrangements for the sale of the baby were concluded shortly after delivery within the hospital premises.
The newborn was allegedly handed over to an unidentified buyer for N2.5 million.
The buyer is currently at large.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, 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 matter is being handled by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin.
A police source disclosed that efforts to trace the buyer had so far been unsuccessful because the contact information provided was allegedly false.
“The address supplied could not be located and the phone number turned out to be incorrect,” the source said.
The source further revealed that the baby’s mother allegedly consented to the arrangement but later became dissatisfied after reportedly receiving only N700,000 instead of the agreed N2.5 million.
“The deal reportedly went sour when the mother claimed she received only part of the agreed payment.
“The matter eventually came to light after she raised concerns over the unpaid balance,” the source said.
According to the source, some non-governmental organisations later became involved and alerted the police, leading to the commencement of investigations.
Police authorities confirmed that the doctor, the baby’s parents and the traditional birth attendant remain in custody.
They are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The command also said efforts were ongoing to locate the buyer and rescue the baby.
The police reiterated their commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting the rights and welfare of children across the state.
