When the midwife handed the newborn baby to Happiness Monday, she marveled at the baby’s tiny features and soft skin. However, before she could fully embrace her child, a nurse quickly took the baby away and handed her over to a stranger who had been waiting with wads of Naira notes.
Currently, both the midwife and the mother are in custody with the Commissioner of Police at the Rivers State Police Command Monitoring Squad. Their detention follows an intelligence report about a facility in Rumuokwurusi, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, where newborn babies were reportedly being sold.
Following this report, CP Olatunji Disu instructed CSP Grace Wonwu, the Commander of the Monitoring Squad, to investigate the baby trafficking ring. On July 6, 2024, police arrived at the facility and rescued a 17-year-old pregnant teenager, who was allegedly intended to have her baby sold upon delivery. They also rescued the mother of the baby who had been sold.
In an interview, Happiness Monday disclosed that she was paid N400,000 for selling her baby. She attributed her decision to poverty and hunger, explaining that without access to education, employment, or social support, she felt she had no alternative.
Happiness recounted her situation: “I came from Akwa-Ibom to seek opportunities in Port Harcourt but was displaced by a flood. I started living with my boyfriend, who later pressured me to terminate the pregnancy. When I refused, he accused me of infidelity and denied paternity. In September 2023, he left for a job outside Port Harcourt and never returned. When I inquired about his whereabouts from his mother, she revealed she hadn’t been in contact with him for years and refused to accept the pregnancy. Following the expiration of my house rent, I moved into an unfinished building. When I returned from an antenatal appointment one day, the building had been locked. With no shelter or means to care for my baby, I approached the midwife for help. She said she could find a buyer for the baby for N400,000. After giving birth, the baby was handed over to someone I never saw. I only asked the midwife to ensure the buyer would care for my baby and not harm her. She assured me that the buyer was a pastor’s wife.”
Happiness used part of the N400,000 to rent an apartment, settle some debts, and deposited N160,000 with the nurse for future business plans. She also mentioned that she had sent her three older children to live with their paternal grandmother because their father had abandoned her for another woman, having failed to pay her dowry.
The 31-year-old midwife, Success Igwe, stated this was her first involvement in the sale of a baby. She claimed to have facilitated the sale for N450,000, retaining only N50,000 for delivery charges and giving the rest to Happiness.
When asked about the pregnant teenager at the birth house, Success Igwe explained, “Her sister brought her on July 4, 2024, saying she should stay with me while she attended a convention. I asked if she was aware that the girl was pregnant, and she confirmed. I administered some medication to her as she had a fever when she arrived. Two days later, I was arrested.”
The teenage girl, who appeared pale, could not communicate effectively in English. She identified herself as Margret Okonide from Akwa-Ibom. Due to the language barrier, efforts to gather additional information from her were unsuccessful.
