The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant (TBA), and the parents of a newborn baby over the alleged sale of the child for ₦2.5 million inside a private hospital in Ikorodu.
The suspects include a 31-year-old doctor, a 28-year-old mother, her boyfriend, and a traditional birth attendant, all of whom are currently in police custody as investigations intensify into the suspected child trafficking network.
Police said the case, which is being treated as conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking, was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit, following a directive from the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani.
According to investigators, the mother and her boyfriend allegedly agreed before delivery not to keep the child and instead arranged to sell the baby through intermediaries shortly after birth.
The woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant for delivery but was later rushed to a private hospital in Ikorodu when complications arose. A Caesarean section was reportedly performed by the arrested medical doctor, successfully delivering both mother and child.
However, police said the alleged transaction was concluded within the hospital premises shortly after delivery, where the newborn was handed over to an unidentified buyer for ₦2.5 million.
A police source said the buyer has since gone into hiding after providing fake contact details.
“The address given could not be traced and the phone number was false. Efforts to locate the buyer have so far been unsuccessful,” the source said.
Investigators further alleged that the deal became exposed after a disagreement over payment. It was gathered that the mother reportedly received only ₦700,000 out of the agreed ₦2.5 million, prompting her to raise concerns, which eventually led to a police complaint through a non-governmental organisation.
“The matter escalated when she complained about the unpaid balance. That triggered further scrutiny and led to the arrest of all parties involved,” the source added.
The police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing buyer and recover the baby.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
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