The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the detention of a middle-aged man, Chukwuma Onwe, for allegedly trafficking his 5-day-old son for N1.5 million.
After his would-be wife, Philomena Iroko, alerted a neighbor about his actions, the suspect, a native of Nwezenyi-Igbeagu Community, was apprehended by police.
Chinyere Ugochukwu was arrested by police after the toddler boy was trafficked to her.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Capital that the baby had been recovered from the alleged buyer.
Ukandu said that the father of the child was nabbed alongside the alleged buyer on Friday at the Azugwu area of Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.
“Yes, he, Onwe, has been arrested and is currently in our custody. We are going to commence an investigation into the matter,” the PPRO said.
Iroko, the baby’s mother, said that her proposed husband took away her son to Ugochukwu (the alleged buyer) without her knowledge.
“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 added.
According to the NAN, Iroko made an emotional plea to the public: “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.”
