The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested the 20-year-old mother of a baby, Ola China, and her lover for allegedly selling their baby to a maternity home operator for N500,000 in the state.
China, of Amangwu Edda in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state, was impregnated out of wedlock by a bricklayer, Jonah Ogbuagu, in August 2021.
China reportedly gave birth to the baby in April 2022 at Obigbo, Rivers State, where she went to hibernate at her aunt’s residence during the pregnancy.
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After giving birth, she was said to have conspired with Ogbuagu to sell the baby.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chris Anyanwu, on Tuesday, said the maternity home owner, popularly known as Mummy Abigail, was also arrested at Ovima, in Afikpo North LGA.
“Mummy Abigail runs a maternity home which she uses as a cover for her illicit trade.
“The suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for necessary actions and prosecution,’’ Anyanwu said.
He added that the police also arrested a two-man syndicate of child traffickers, who specialise in stealing, abducting, kidnapping and selling of children.
Anyawu gave their details as Otuu Chizaram, 24, and Agbi Precious, 20,
“Each of them confessed to the crime of stealing a baby,’’ the PPRO said.
