The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a man, Chukwuma Onwe, for allegedly selling his five-day-old baby boy for ₦1.5 million.
Onwe, who hails from Nwezenyi-Igbeagu community in Izzi Local Government Area, was reportedly exposed by his would-be wife, Philomena Iroko, after she informed a neighbour who alerted the police.
The baby was allegedly sold to Chinyere Ugochukwu, a woman who has also been arrested by the police.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki that the baby had been recovered from the buyer.
“Both the father of the child and the alleged buyer were arrested on Friday in the Azugwu area of Abakaliki. They are currently in custody, and investigation has commenced,” Ukandu stated.
Speaking on the incident, Iroko said her partner took the baby away under the pretext of handing him over to his sister for proper care.
“I didn’t know he had sold our baby. He told me his sister would look after the child, but later I found out he had collected money from the woman. I thank God and the police for recovering my son safely,” she said.
The distraught mother also appealed for financial assistance to care for her newborn.
“The man promised to marry me, but it was all deceit. Now I’m alone with no support to care for my baby. I beg the state government and kind individuals to help me,” she pleaded.
