The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for ₦2 million and arrested two suspects, including the child’s mother and the owner of the health facility where she was delivered.
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for ₦2 million in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, following an investigation into a suspected child trafficking case.
The incident reportedly came to light after a woman, identified as Mary Amos, raised the alarm over the disappearance of her granddaughter. According to the police, Amos, a resident of the Ogunwade area of Ido, reported the case on October 15.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday, confirming that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the alleged transaction.
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According to the police, the baby’s mother, identified as Cecilia, allegedly implicated the owner of the health facility where she gave birth, 40-year-old Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, as well as Hassan Oludunni, whom she accused of luring her into the arrangement and facilitating the alleged sale of the child to Odunayo Folawewo.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the alleged transaction involved ₦2 million. The police said Cecilia allegedly received ₦1 million, while Adeleke and Oludunni were said to have received ₦500,000 each.
Following the report and subsequent investigations, operatives of the command rescued the baby girl and arrested Adeleke. Police authorities, however, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Folawewo and bring all those allegedly involved in the incident to justice.
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The command did not indicate in the statement whether the remaining suspects had been apprehended, as investigations into the case continued.
The incident has again drawn attention to concerns surrounding the trafficking and unlawful sale of children, particularly the vulnerability of infants and the need for prompt reporting of suspicious activities involving minors.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding children and other vulnerable persons, the Oyo State Police Command urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences to the appropriate authorities without delay.
“The Oyo State Police Command reiterates its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons and urges members of the public to report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences promptly,” the statement said.
The police said efforts were continuing to ensure that all suspects connected to the alleged crime were brought to justice.
