Couple busted at naming ceremony of baby bought for N2.3m

In a major crackdown on child trafficking, detectives from the Oko-oba Division of the Lagos State Police Command have rescued a two-month-old baby and arrested five individuals involved in the heinous crime.

The operation was launched after a distressed mother reported that her infant son was abducted by one Gloria Sunday on July 11, 2024. Following an investigation, detectives tracked down Sunday and arrested her, who confessed to selling the baby for ₦500,000 to Pastor Peter Udoh. Udoh, who was arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, revealed that he had resold the child for ₦1,450,000 to Loretta Nelson, who was subsequently apprehended in Festac Town, Lagos.

Nelson confessed to selling the baby for ₦2,350,000. The final buyers of the baby, Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam, were arrested during a naming ceremony for the abducted child.

All suspects are currently being held under police custody and will appear before court upon completion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Immigration Service has also rescued a six-month-old baby and three other suspected victims of human trafficking at the Seme Border Patrol Command in Badagry.

Separately, in May, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrested two individuals, Kulu Dogonyaro and Elizabeth Ojah, for attempting to traffic five minors who were rescued from their custody.

The arrests and rescues are a significant blow to child traffickers operating in Lagos and the surrounding areas. The police have vowed to continue cracking down on these illegal activities and bringing perpetrators to justice.