By Bose
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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man accused of selling his sister’s one-month-old baby for ₦2 million, allegedly to raise money for their late mother’s burial.
The suspect, who lives in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, was apprehended after the baby’s mother reported to the police that her child had been taken and sold under controversial circumstances.
Police authorities said the complaint triggered an investigation that quickly led to the suspect’s arrest.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for a full-scale investigation.
While speaking with journalists after his arrest, the suspect reportedly admitted to arranging the transaction but blamed his actions on severe financial pressure.
He claimed he met the woman who allegedly bought the baby through Facebook.
According to him, after several discussions online, the woman asked him to bring the infant to the Mile 2 area of Lagos to complete the deal.
“I went there with my sister. A man sent by the buyer collected the baby, and the woman transferred ₦2 million into my bank account,” he said.
The suspect further claimed he gave his sister ₦500,000 from the money, while the remaining amount was used to organise their mother’s burial.
However, he alleged that after the burial ceremony, his sister began demanding that the baby be returned, insisting she did not fully realise the child had been permanently sold.
He also claimed that she later accused him of using charms to persuade her into agreeing to the arrangement before reporting the matter to the police.
The suspect told investigators that he does not know the buyer personally and has no details about her identity or residence. He added that attempts to reach her through the phone number used during the transaction have been unsuccessful.
Confirming the development, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, said detectives have launched a detailed investigation into the case.
He added that efforts are ongoing to trace the buyer and recover the missing infant, noting that the suspect will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
