The Delta State Police Command has apprehended three women involved in the trafficking of an eleven-day-old infant in Asaba.
According to Drivetvnews reports, the baby’s mother, identified as Rachael, admitted to selling her newborn for ₦600,000 due to financial struggles.
“The father of my child abandoned me during pregnancy. I relied on the support of neighbors and well-wishers to survive. After giving birth, I was introduced to a woman who initially offered help but later convinced me to sell my baby,” Rachael confessed.
Suspicion arose when those who had been assisting Rachael noticed the baby was missing. Upon being questioned, she admitted to the sale, leading to her arrest along with the intermediary who facilitated the transaction.
Further investigation revealed that the intermediary sold the child for ₦3.5 million, giving Rachael only ₦570,000 after deducting ₦30,000 she had previously borrowed. However, the final buyer, a woman from Delta State, claimed she paid ₦4 million for the baby.
While parading the suspects, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed that all three women had confessed to their involvement in the crime.
“There has been a noticeable rise in baby trafficking, and we are committed to tackling this issue. Recently, we arrested three women attempting to transport three children to Abuja through Asaba International Airport. Now, we have another case where a mother handed over her baby to a trafficker, who then sold the child to another woman for ₦4 million—though she insists it was ₦3.5 million. Disturbingly, the mother received less than ₦600,000,” Edafe stated.
The infant has since been rescued and remains in police custody as investigations continue.
