A grandmother identified as Oluchukwu Nwosu from Nkwelle, the Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, is in police custody in the state for allegedly selling a newborn for N50,000.
It was gathered that the baby was delivered out of wedlock by the suspect’s daughter identified as Ijeoma.
The security operatives of the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, together with men of the state police command, apprehended the culprit and the perpetrators in the crime, after the mother of the baby alerted the ministry.
This was disclosed in a press statement on Sunday by Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.
The statement read, “The Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State has rescued a three-month-old baby who had been sold by the grandmother.
“The rescue occurred in response to a report by Ijeoma Nwosu, who claimed that Oluchukwu Nwosu, her mother, forcefully sold her baby soon after he was born and has since refused to tell her where he is.
“Following receipt of the allegation, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, immediately took action, in collaboration with security operatives, to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. “After almost a month of consistent intelligence and surveillance by the ministry and security operatives, the offenders were caught.”
The statement quoted Ijeoma as saying that her mother sold the three-month-old baby for N50,000, claiming that it was due to their low income and lack of care and challenges of feeding the baby.
“During interrogations, the culprit confessed how she came across a buyer who after days of negotiations, finally paid her the agreed sum.
“But the buyer of the baby, one Madam Evelyn, a native of Uruagu Nnewi, when arrested, said she paid N200,000 to the person who obtained the baby for her,” the statement added.
All the suspects were said to have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution. Punch
