Lagos police have arrested a doctor, a midwife, and the parents of a newborn over the illegal sale of the infant for N2.5 million. The arrests followed investigations into what authorities describe as child trafficking and conspiracy.
The 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend decided against raising the child before birth. They allegedly contacted intermediaries to find a buyer in Ikorodu.
Initial plans called for delivery at a traditional birth attendant's home. Complications during labour forced an emergency transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu.
A 31-year-old doctor at the facility performed a caesarean section. Both mother and baby survived the procedure.
Within hours of delivery, the arrangements were finalized inside the hospital. An unidentified buyer took possession of the newborn for the agreed sum.
That buyer has not been found. Police say the contact details provided turned out to be fake.
Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Tijani ordered the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. The Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit now leads the probe.
Investigators discovered something unexpected during their work. The mother received only N700,000 of the promised N2.5 million.
She raised the alarm over the missing balance. Non-governmental organisations got wind of the situation and alerted authorities.
The doctor, parents, and traditional birth attendant remain in custody. Police say they'll face charges once investigations conclude.
A police source told reporters the search for the buyer continues. Officers are also working to locate and retrieve the child.
"The information supplied by the person who took the baby turned out to be false," the source noted. "The address could not be traced and the phone number was incorrect."
Deputy Commissioner Dayo Akinbisehin oversees the investigation from SCID. His unit handles all human trafficking cases in the state.
This case highlights growing concerns about child trafficking networks in Lagos. Such operations often involve medical professionals who facilitate illegal transactions.
Police sources say the case reveals how desperation drives families to make terrible choices. It also shows how criminals exploit vulnerable pregnant women.
