The Lagos State Police Command has taken into custody a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant and the parents of a newborn baby over allegations that the infant was sold for ₦2.5 million.
Authorities are also on the trail of an unidentified buyer who is said to have taken custody of the child.
Preliminary police findings indicate that the baby’s 28-year-old mother and her partner allegedly made arrangements to give out the child after birth, with plans facilitated through intermediaries linked to a prospective buyer in Ikorodu.
It was gathered that the woman was first taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery, but complications during labour led to her referral to a private hospital in Ikorodu. A medical doctor reportedly carried out a Caesarean section that ensured the survival of both mother and child.
Investigators said the transaction was allegedly concluded shortly after delivery within the hospital environment, after which the newborn was handed over in exchange for ₦2.5 million.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, ordered that the case be moved from the Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed investigation.
The matter, which borders on conspiracy, child stealing and 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, Dayo Akinbisehin.
A police source said efforts to trace the buyer had so far been unsuccessful due to false contact information provided during the process.
According to the source, the address supplied could not be located, while the phone number turned out to be invalid.
The source added that the mother initially agreed to the arrangement but later raised concerns after allegedly receiving only ₦700,000 out of the agreed ₦2.5 million.
The case reportedly came to light after she lodged a complaint over the outstanding payment, prompting the involvement of some non-governmental organisations, who subsequently alerted the police.
The doctor, the parents and the traditional birth attendant are currently in custody and are expected to be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track down the buyer and recover the newborn.
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