The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a 30-year-old man accused of selling his sister’s one-month-old baby for N2 million.
The suspect, said to be a resident of the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, reportedly told investigators that he carried out the act in order to raise money for the burial of their late mother.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the baby’s mother later reported the matter to the police, prompting the arrest of the suspect.
Following the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for a detailed probe.
While speaking with NAN in Lagos on Friday, the suspect admitted to the allegation, attributing his action to economic hardship.
He claimed that his sister was aware of the plan and agreed to it. According to him, he came in contact with the woman who bought the baby through Facebook.
The suspect explained that after they reached an agreement, the woman asked him to bring the baby to Mile 2 in Lagos.
“I went there with my sister and met a man who said he was sent by the buyer.
He collected the baby and the woman later transferred N2 million to my account,” he said.
He added that he handed over N500,000 to his sister from the money, while the remaining amount was spent on their mother’s funeral.
However, he said the situation later took a different turn when his sister demanded that the child be brought back, claiming she was not fully aware of the arrangement and accusing him of influencing her with charms.
He said the complaint she subsequently lodged with the police led to his arrest.
The suspect further stated that he did not know the buyer personally and had no information about her residence, adding that the phone number she used had since become unreachable.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, confirmed that investigation into the case was ongoing.
He noted that the suspect would be charged to court once the investigation is concluded.
