The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five suspects, including one man and four women, for allegedly abducting and selling a two-week-old baby for ₦3 million.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests and said the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) following a detailed investigation.
According to Hundeyin, the case was initially reported on May 5 at the Ajah Police Division by a man who alleged that his 16-year-old cousin had been impregnated by an unknown individual. Due to financial hardship, the girl’s mother had arranged for her to live with a guardian until she delivered her baby.
“However, the guardian conspired with four other individuals to move the girl to an undisclosed location,” Hundeyin explained. “When she was eventually found, she was no longer pregnant, and both she and the baby were missing.”
Further investigations led the SCID to uncover a disturbing scheme in which the baby had been sold for ₦3 million. Through what the police described as “painstaking efforts,” detectives traced the child to the Agemuwo area of Badagry, where he was rescued in good condition.
“The baby boy was found safe and sound. He is currently in the care of the Gender/Anti-Human Trafficking Unit while arrangements are being made for his reunion with his biological mother,” the statement said.
CSP Hundeyin reiterated the command’s dedication to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable residents. He added that investigations are ongoing to ensure that all individuals involved in the crime face justice.
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