ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency has arrested a woman and her alleged accomplice over the sale of a newborn baby for N2.9 million in Awada, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the agency’s Women and Child Trafficking Investigation Unit in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
The baby’s mother, identified simply as Chioma, reportedly told investigators that shortly after giving birth, her alleged accomplice, Precious Uchenna, took custody of the child and facilitated the transaction.
Chioma said she received N300,000 from the proceeds, while the remaining amount was allegedly kept by Uchenna, who reportedly arranged accommodation for her after the transaction.
The alleged accomplice, described as a prophetess and the prime suspect, reportedly claimed during interrogation that she was trying to assist the young mother, who was facing difficult circumstances.
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However, she was unable to explain why she allegedly retained the bulk of the money from the transaction while giving the biological mother only N300,000.
The suspect reportedly said she had earlier provided accommodation for Chioma after the young woman was allegedly rejected by members of her family during pregnancy.
Speaking after the interrogation, the Managing Director of SASA, Monday Nwokoye, said the suspects were arrested following intelligence gathering and reports concerning the alleged illegal adoption of a newborn.
Nwokoye condemned the alleged transaction, stressing that private arrangements could not be used to transfer custody or facilitate the adoption of a child.
He said, “No individual has the authority to transfer the custody of a child or adopt a child through ‘private arrangements’ without the involvement of the appropriate government agencies and law enforcement authorities.”
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According to him, the incident amounted to alleged child trafficking carried out under the guise of religion, warning that individuals who exploit public trust to commit crimes would face the law.
Nwokoye urged residents to report suspicious activities involving children to security agencies, saying timely information could help protect vulnerable persons.
He said the suspects were subsequently handed over to the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
The agency also disclosed that the baby had been traced and rescued unharmed. Officials said the child was safe and receiving necessary care while investigations continued.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chinyere Onyekesi, also confirmed the development.
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Onyekesi said preliminary investigations showed that the infant, born to a young woman from Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area, was allegedly sold for N2.9 million.
She said the biological mother allegedly received N300,000, while the remaining proceeds were reportedly retained by the principal suspect.
The commissioner reiterated that adoption, child custody and other child welfare matters must be handled through legally recognised procedures rather than private arrangements.
Onyekesi said the state government remained committed to tackling child trafficking and exploitation, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
She disclosed that the principal suspect, the woman who allegedly received the baby and the child’s biological mother had been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Punch reports that the videos circulating on social media showed the suspects being interrogated by officials in Awka.
As of the time of filing the report, the police had yet to issue an official statement on the case.