September 13, 2022

Police in Ebonyi have arrested a 20-year-old mother of a baby boy and her lover who sold their baby to a maternity home operator for N500,000.

The mother, Ola China, 20, of Amangwu Edda in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi was impregnated out of wedlock by Jonah Ogbuagu, a bricklayer in August 2021.

Ola gave birth to the baby in April 2022 at Obigbo, Rivers, where she went to hibernate at her aunt’s residence during the pregnancy.

After giving birth, she conspired with Ogbuagu and sold the baby.

Police spokesman in Ebonyi, SP Chris Anyanwu, stated on Tuesday in Abakaliki that the maternity home owner, popularly known as “Mummy Abigail’’ was arrested at Ovima, also in Afikpo North Local Government Area.

“Mummy Abigail runs a maternity home which she uses as a cover for her illicit trade.

“The suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for necessary actions and prosecution,’’ SP Anyanwu stated.

He added that police in Ebonyi also arrested a two-man syndicate of child traffickers, who specialise in stealing, abducting, kidnapping and selling of children.

Anyawu gave their details as Otuu Chizaram, 24, from Ndukwe Akpoha and Agbi Precious, 20, of Evuma Road both in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

“Each of them confessed to the crime of stealing a baby,’’ Anyanwu added. (NAN)