Lagos Police Arrest Doctor, Three Others Over Alleged Sale Of Newborn For ₦2.5m

Lagos police have arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant and the parents of a newborn over the alleged sale of the baby for ₦2.5 million.

Reports by Guardian and Blueprint said the case was first handled at Area E Command in Festac before it was transferred on June 1 to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba.

Police sources said the baby’s 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend allegedly decided not to keep the child and looked for people who could arrange a buyer after delivery.

The woman was initially taken to a traditional birth attendant, but complications during labour led to her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu, where a medical doctor carried out a caesarean section.

Investigators alleged that the newborn was later handed to an unidentified buyer for ₦2.5 million. Blueprint reported that the parents allegedly received ₦700,000 before disagreement over the balance exposed the arrangement.

The Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID is investigating allegations of conspiracy, child stealing and trafficking under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Dayo Akinbisehin.

A police source said attempts to trace the alleged buyer had been unsuccessful because the address and phone number supplied were false.

Police have not announced the recovery of the baby as of the cited reports. The suspects remain accused persons unless a court finds them guilty.

Sources: Guardian, Blueprint