Mother sells three-day-old baby for N260,000

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command
has arrested a nursing mother,
Imaobong Udoh, for allegedly selling her
three-day old baby girl.
Also arrested along with Imaobong were
four persons for allegedly participating in
the theft of the baby.
They are the buyer, Mrs. Regina James;
her husband, Mfon James; the
traditional birth attendant who
delivered the baby, Mrs. Comfort
Henry; and Mr Emmanuel Okon, a
homeopathic doctor, who arranged the
sale.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar
Gwadabe, said in Uyo on Monday that
the father of the baby had reported the
theft to the police, leading to the arrest
of the suspects.
Gwadabe said, "On March 3, 2014, a
case of child stealing was reported by
Mr. Eteobong James, of No. 33 Urua
Ekpa Road, Itu Local Governmnet Area,
to the police, where a three-day-old
baby girl was sold for N260, 000.
"Based on the report, the suspects were
arrested.
"Mr Emmanuel Etim Okon, was the one
that arranged the infamous deal and
personally conveyed the baby from the
point of delivery at Nna-Enin in Uruan
Local Government Area to the buyers at
No. 37 Church Road, Uyo."
The police boss explained that Regina
allegedly paid N150,000 to the mother
of the baby and N110,000 to Okon, the
homeopathic doctor, for his services.
The commissioner stated that the
accused would soon be arraigned in
court and warned child thieves to steer
clear of the state.
He explained that the state would not
be conducive for their illicit trade.
Husband of the buyer, James, who
spoke with PUNCH METRO said when his
wife told him she was pregnant, he gave
her money for ante-natal care, but was
surprised to hear that she bought the
baby.
He said, "l am a trader. My wife, Regina,
told me she was pregnant and I gave
her money for ante-natal. One day, she
told me she was in labour and later
informed me that she had been
delivered of a baby girl.
"I did not know she bought the baby
since she has given birth to four
children, though three died."
However, the homeopathic doctor said
Regina brought the mother of the baby,
Imaobong, to him so that he could take
care of her during ante-natal.
He said Regina had explained to him
that the father of the baby was not
financially buoyant to take care of her.
He denied collecting N110,000 from
Regina, stating that he only collected
N30,000, which was the cost of delivery
of Imaobong's baby.
"When Regina brought Imaobong to me,
she told me that the man responsible
for the pregnancy was unable of take
care of her.
"The N30,000 I collected from her was
for the upkeep of Imaobong before and
during delivery of the baby. I did not
collect N110,000."