The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man accused of selling his sister’s one-month-old baby for N2 million.
It was gathered that the suspect, who resides in Igbogbo in the Ikorodu area of the state, allegedly claimed he sold the infant to raise funds for their mother’s burial.
The baby’s mother later reported the incident to the police, prompting the suspect’s arrest.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, for further investigation.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Friday, the suspect, who admitted to the act, attributed his actions to financial hardship.
He explained that he came in contact with the woman who purchased the baby through Facebook.
“Poverty pushed me into doing it. My sister initially agreed to the arrangement,” he said.
According to him, the woman seeking a child asked him to bring the baby to Mile 2 after their discussions.
“I went there with my sister. A man sent by the buyer collected the baby, and the woman transferred N2 million into my bank account,” he said.
The suspect added that he gave his sister N500,000 from the proceeds, while the remaining amount was used to organise their mother’s burial.
He further claimed that after the burial, his sister began demanding that the baby be returned, alleging that he had used charms to influence her to agree to the sale.
“My sister later claimed she was unaware that the baby had been sold and reported the matter to the police, which led to my arrest,” he said.
The suspect said he did not know the buyer personally and had no details about her residence, adding that attempts to reach her through the phone number used during the transaction had been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
He noted that the suspect would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
Lagos: Man arrested for allegedly selling sister’s baby to fund mother’s burial
