A grandmother, Oluchukwu Nwosu, who hails from Nkwelle in the Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been arrested by police for allegedly selling a newborn baby for N50,000.
The arrest was made possible by the combined efforts of the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and the state police command.
The mother of the baby had alerted the ministry about the incident, leading to the arrest of the alleged perpetrators.
Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, media aide to the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, revealed this in a press statement on Sunday.
The mother of the child, Ijeoma Nwosu, reported that her mother, Oluchukwu Nwosu, had forcibly sold her baby shortly after his birth and had since refused to disclose his whereabouts.
Upon receiving this report, Commissioner Ify Obinabo promptly took action in collaboration with security operatives to identify and apprehend those involved.
The statement further quoted Ijeoma as stating that her mother sold her three-month-old baby for N50,000 due to their low income and difficulties in caring for and feeding the baby. During interrogations, Oluchukwu confessed to finding a buyer who agreed to pay her the negotiated sum after several days of discussions.
However, the buyer of the baby, identified as Madam Evelyn from Uruagu Nnewi, claimed during her arrest that she had paid N200,000 to an intermediary for the baby. All suspects have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.