Man arrested for reportedly selling 5-day-old son for N1.5m

The Ebonyi State Police Command has taken into custody a man identified as Chukwuma Onwe for allegedly selling his five-day-old baby boy for ₦1.5 million.

Onwe, who hails from Nwezenyi-Igbeagu community in Izzi Local Government Area, was arrested after his fiancée, Philomena Iroko, reportedly alerted a neighbour about his actions, leading to police intervention.

According to the police, the infant was sold to a woman identified as C. Ugochukwu, who has also been apprehended.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest on Saturday in Abakaliki. He said the baby had been rescued from the alleged buyer.

Ukandu said both suspects were arrested on Friday at the Azugwu area of Abakaliki Local Government Area.“Yes, he, Onwe, has been arrested and is currently in our custody. We are going to commence an investigation into the matter,” the PPRO stated.

The baby’s mother, Iroko, recounted that her partner took their newborn to Ugochukwu without her consent.“The man, who is yet to be my husband, took the child and lied to me that he gave the baby to his sister for further care.“I did not know that the woman he gave my son to had already paid him in exchange for my 5-day-old baby.“Thank God, my son has been recovered and he is healthy. I commend the Nigeria Police Force,” she said.

She appealed to the public for assistance to care for the child.“The father of my son told me that he would marry me, but I didn’t know that he was deceiving me all the while. Look at me, where will I run to? No husband and no one to take care of my baby. I am begging the state government and individuals to come to my assistance,” she pleaded.