The Ebonyi State Police have taken into custody a middle-aged man, Chukwuma Onwe, for allegedly selling his newborn son for N1.5 million.
Onwe, a resident of Nwezenyi-Igbeagu Community in Izzi Local Government Area, was apprehended after his fiancée, Philomena Iroko, reported his actions to a neighbour, who then informed the police.
The infant is reported to have been sold to a woman named Chinyere Ugochukwu, who has also been detained by law enforcement.
Advertisement
READ MORE : Relative Accuses Minna General Hospital Staff Of Sleeping On Duty, Neglecting Patient
SP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Saturday that the baby had been safely recovered from the alleged buyer.
Ukandu added that both the father and the alleged buyer were arrested on Friday in the Azugwu area of Abakaliki Local Government Area. “Yes, he, Onwe, has been arrested and is currently in our custody. We are going to commence an investigation into the matter,” he stated.
Iroko, the child’s mother, revealed that she was unaware her fiancé had taken her son to Ugochukwu. “The man, who is yet to be my husband, took the child and lied to me that he gave the baby to his sister for further care,” she said.
She further explained, “I did not know that the woman he gave my son to had already paid him in exchange for my 5-day-old baby. Thank God, my son has been recovered and he is healthy. I commend the Nigeria Police Force.”
Iroko also appealed to the public and government for assistance, saying she is left to care for the baby alone. “The father of my son told me that he would marry me, but I didn’t know that he was deceiving me all the while. Look at me, where will I run to? No husband and no one to take care of my baby. I am begging the state government and individuals to come to my assistance,” she added.
