A 23-year-old mother, Miracle Johnson has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command over the alleged sale of her six-week-old baby.
The nursing mother from Agenebode, in the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, reportedly sold the baby, Greatness, to an orphanage in Onitsha, Anambra State, for N200,000 and was reportedly paid in cash.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, who confirmed the incident said Miracle bought a phone with proceeds from the transaction, and further described it as a serious offence. Miracle who said she persuaded by one Mama Joy, said to be at large, to sell the infant and give the money to her husband to start a business, blamed her action on frustration and the inability of her husband to take care of her and her other children.
“My baby was born on July 2. I sold her due to frustration. My husband was just struggling (to provide for us).
“My friend (Mama Joy) said that since my husband was not taking care of me, if I did it (sold the baby), I could give the money to my husband to start a business or buy a motorcycle.
“Two weeks later, she came back. I did not know what happened to me. So, I carried a bag, picked some things and left.
“I sold her to an orphanage in Onitsha. The orphanage bought the child for N200,000. I just bought only a phone; I did not want to buy it, but she (Mama Joy) forced me to do so,” she added.
The nursing mother who said she regretted her action and later confessed to her pastor, added;
“I told my pastor what I did and that it was a mistake for which I would never forgive myself. So, my husband and I went to a police station to report. I know what I did was not good. I pray that my child will forgive me.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state said the baby would be rescued while the suspect would be charged to court.
Kokumo said, “It is an act against laws in Nigeria. Now that we have the woman in our net, we will definitely charge her to court. The baby will be rescued.”
