The police in Lagos State have apprehended a mother and another woman for their alleged involvement in an attempt to sell a nine-month-old baby. According to SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police command’s spokesperson, the members of the Rapid Response Squad and the public prevented the crime’s execution.
Mr Hundeyin revealed that the transaction took place in the Oshodi area, where a 25-year-old intermediary, Oge Okolie, was arrested for attempting to steal the baby. Upon hearing the infant’s continuous wails, passengers on a public bus that Okolie boarded questioned why she could not breastfeed the child if she was the biological mother.
But when the situation began to attract negative attention, RRS operatives intervened and rescued Okolie and the baby from the wrath of the mob. Investigations showed that the baby’s mother, Maria Ahmadu (26), reportedly conspired with Oge Okolie to sell the baby.
The police representative stated that the suspects and baby have been transferred to the Gender Unit of the Command for further investigation and prosecution.
In conclusion, child trafficking is a grave crime that violates human rights laws and is illegal in Nigeria. The Government and law enforcement authorities will not allow desperate mothers to use it as an alternative for providing for themselves or their families.
