Pat Steven/
A midwife and two other women arrested by the police, in Lagos, have told how they assisted in selling a child for N250, 000 because he was a product of incest.
The police had accused the suspects of running a baby factory in the state, whereby they induced expectant mothers after which they would sell their babies on delivery.
But, the 50-year-old midwife, Regina Ibeto, Joy James, 33, and one Udoju Chukwuoju, had a different story to tell when they were paraded by the Police for allegedly selling a two-week-old baby boy.
They told NewsmakersNG that they only assisted in offering the child for adoption because the parents didn’t want the child that was a product of father and daughter relationship.
Narrating their involvement in the crime, Joy James said, “A friend of mine called Mama Bukky told me that her husband got her 16-year-old daughter pregnant and they did not want to keep the baby boy. I felt for her as she added that her husband is very ill with diabetics and she did not want any family shame.
“I connected her to the midwife who delivered the baby. They couldn’t pay for the maternity, and I recommended them to Madam Udoju. She said she would get somebody to adopt the baby.
“Madam Udoju gave N250,000 for the baby and she took the child away. I did not get anything from the money. I only did it to assist others.”
Regina said, “I have been a midwife for years. I did not sell the baby. I only assisted them to deliver the baby boy. Sadly after delivering the baby, they said they did not have money to pay me. Mama Bukky said her husband was down with diabetics and they were looking for money for the treatment. They later told me that they wanted to give the baby up for adoption and I should assist them. They gave up the baby for adoption and they paid me my money. So, it is not true that I am running a baby factory.”
Udoju, on her part, said: “Madam Joy called me to take the child for adoption. I know some persons in Imo State, who have been trying to adopt a child but they did not have the opportunity to find a child, so I got N250,000 from one of them to pay for the baby, but I was arrested.”
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Lagos, Mr Imohimi Edgal expressed sadness while parading the suspects.
He told reporters: “On May 23rd, information was received that one Regina Ibeto, 50 years of age, of 96, Bunmi Ajakaye Street, Ajangbadi, used to induce pregnant women and when they eventually give birth, she sells off the newly born babies.
“On the strength of the information, the DPO, Ajangbadi Division, CSP Musa Alim led operatives to the compound where the said Regina was found administering intravenous injection (drip) to one Uju Nnamdi of 22, Imude Road, who claimed to be sick and five months pregnant. When search was conducted, a set of drip-water bags and other related drugs were recovered.
“On interrogation, Regina confessed that she is not a medical doctor but a traditional birth attendant. She stated that on the 18/05/2018, one Bukky surname yet unknown, about 17 years old was induced and she delivered a baby boy, and that she sold the baby to Udoju Chukwunoye, 45 years, of 83, Ojo-Igbede Road for N250,000.
“The said Udoju was arrested, the baby retrieved and taken to the hospital, while Bukky, the said mother of the baby, is being trailed for possible arrest. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing.”
In a related development, the police commissioner revealed that a team of policemen attached to Ilemba-Hausa Division, also arrested one Jude Nnakire, aged 34, a resident of Bemigo Street, Shibiri, Ajangbadi, for allegedly trafficking two sisters.
He said: “The suspect was arrested while taking two sisters, namely, Deborah Otim, 20, and Gift Otim, 17, to unknown destination. The victims are of Number 26, Obudu Road, Ikom, Cross-River State.
“The victims were allegedly brought to Lagos by one Emeka, other names not yet known, under the pretence of getting them a job and without the consent of their parents. The victims are right now in protective custody while effort is on to locate their biological parents.
“Investigation is ongoing and at the end, suspect will be charged to court.”
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