The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a medical doctor, a traditional birth attendant, and the parents of a newborn over the alleged sale of the infant for N2.5 million in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Police investigators are probing the suspects for conspiracy, child stealing, and human trafficking. Authorities said the alleged transaction occurred shortly after the baby’s birth at a private hospital.
Investigators said the 28-year-old mother and her boyfriend decided during the pregnancy that they did not want to keep the child.
According to police findings, the couple began searching for people who could help them sell the baby after delivery. Through intermediaries, they eventually connected with a prospective buyer in Ikorodu.
The woman initially sought delivery services from a traditional birth attendant. However, labour complications forced her transfer to a private hospital in Ikorodu.
At the hospital, a 31-year-old medical doctor reportedly carried out a successful Caesarean section and saved both mother and child.
Police sources said those involved finalised arrangements for the baby’s sale inside the hospital shortly after the delivery. They allegedly handed the newborn to an unidentified buyer in exchange for N2.5 million.
The case reportedly came to light when disagreements arose over the payment.
Police sources said the baby’s mother received only N700,000 instead of the agreed N2.5 million. She later complained about the outstanding balance.
“The mother initially consented to the arrangement, but the matter became contentious when she allegedly received only a fraction of the agreed payment,” a police source said.
The dispute drew the attention of non-governmental organisations, which subsequently alerted the police and triggered a full investigation.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, directed officers to transfer the case from Area E Command, Festac, to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The Anti-Human Trafficking and Gender Unit of the SCID is now handling the case. The unit operates under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dayo Akinbisehin.
Investigators said they have not yet located the buyer or rescued the baby.
According to police sources, the buyer provided false contact information. Officers could not trace the address, and the phone number was invalid.
“The information supplied by the person who took the baby turned out to be fake. The address could not be traced and the phone number was incorrect,” the source said.
Police confirmed that the doctor, the traditional birth attendant, and the baby’s parents remain in custody. Authorities plan to charge them in court after concluding investigations.
Meanwhile, officers continue efforts to track down the fleeing buyer and recover the missing infant.
